Collapsible gel articles

ABSTRACT

A tear and fatigue resistant gel article comprising two or more communicating internal volumes like cavities when depressed by external pressure or force is capable of collapsing unto itself in a controllable and directionally preselected manner by venting static air within said internal through openings in said gel article, said gel article is made from gel compositions having rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom suitable for cushioning and other uses.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/912,464 Filed: Aug. 4, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,484; and a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 10/420,489 filed Apr. 21, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,380; and a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 10/420,492 filed Apr. 21, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,568. The subject manor contained in the related applications and patents are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to gels, gel composites and gel articles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1, 2 a-2 d, 3 a-3 n, and 4 a-4 w are representative composites of the invention gels.

FIGS. 5 a-5 r are representative of collapsible articles made from the invention gels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises gels which can be formed into any desired shape for various uses including adherent gels, adherent gel articles, non-adherent gels, non-adherent gel articles, composite blend gels, composite blend gel articles, gel composites, gel composite articles, and collapsible gel articles, including directionally controllably collapsible gel articles. The invention gels can be formed from one or more polymers. The composite blend gels can be formed from: two or more polymers, two or more polymers with a selected material, one or more selected polymers with one or more selected materials, one or more polymers with a selected material, a selected polymer with a selected material, and a selected polymer with one or more selected materials.

The selected polymers useful in forming the invention gels include block copolymers, random copolymers, control distribution copolymers, linear copolymers, radial copolymers, interpolymers, homopolymers. The selected materials are selected from the group consisting of paper, foam, plastic, fabric, metal, foil, concrete, wood, glass, various natural and synthetic fibers, glass fibers, ceramics, synthetic resin, refractory materials, and the like.

The invention gels, gel articles, composite gel blends, gel composites, and gel composite articles can be made to include (a.) internally blended polymers and materials and (b.) externally applied polymers and materials of any desired configuration, finish fineness, thinness, coarseness, roughness, form, shape, and size. Configuration of the polymers and materials which are useful in the invention include films, sheets, rods, webs, tubes, strands, tapes, aggregates, pellets, platelets, powders, flakes, and the like.

As used herein, the term “gel rigidity” in gram Bloom is determined by the gram weight required to depress a gel a distance of 4 mm with a piston having a cross-sectional area of 1 square centimeter at 23° C.

The various aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disclosures of my following patents are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,193,002, 7,159,259, 7,134,929, 7,134,236, 7,108,873, 7,105,607, 7,093,599, 7,093,316, 7,067,583, 6,909,220, 6,867,253, 6,794,440, 6,627,275, 6,552,109, 6,420,475, 6,333,374, 6,324,703, 6,161,555, 6,148,830, 6,117,176, 6,050,871, 6,033,283, 5,062,572, 5,938,499, 5,884,639, 5,868,597, 5,760,117, 5,633,286, 5,624,294, 5,475,890, 5,336,708, and 5,324,222.

FIGS. 1-39 representative of fishing bait shapes in my copending application Ser. No. 10/199,364; FIGS. 1-23 of copending application Ser. No. 10/675,509; FIGS. 1a-15n of copending application Ser. No. 10/613,567; and FIGS. 1a-11 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,871, and FIGS. 1-3 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,286 are incorporated herein by reference. Patent documents cited in my application Ser. Nos. 10/746,196, 10/613,567, and 10/675,509 are incorporated herein by reference. As part of my disclosure, the patents, patent applications, patent application publications, and publication listed, described, and mentioned above and below, including (1) through (58) are incorporated herein by reference.

The gelatinous elastomer compositions of the present invention can be made firm, soft, tacky (adherent), non-tacky (non-adherent) to the touch, and made to exhibit no tack. Certain selected additives can be use to achieve non-tacky feel to the invention gels' surface. In another embodiment, the invention gels' tack can be reduced or completely eliminated without the need of any additives blooming to the surface for tack reduction or elimination altogether.

For simplicity, the gelatinous elastomer compositions of the invention which are highly tear resistant and rupture resistant and can be made tacky, adherent, non-tacky to the touch and optically transparent or clear will be referred to herein as “invention gel(s)” which includes “tear resistant gels”, “rupture resistant gels”, “non-tacky gels”, “no tack gels”, “optical gels”, “tacky gels”, “adherent gels”, “crystalline midblock segment containing gels”, “non-crystalline containing gels”, “low crystalline containing gels”, “crystal gels” and the like when referring to certain property attributes of the various gels or more simply refer to as “the gel(s)” or “said gel(s)”. Gels of the invention are described herein below for every use.

In general, the copolymers, CD copolymers, linear, radial copolymers, and multiblock copolymers useful in forming the invention gels have the general configurations A-B-A, (A-B)n, (A-B)n-A, (A-B-A)nX, (A-B)nX, An-B-An, A-B-B/A-B-S, and (An-B)n configuration or a mixture thereof, where n is an integer from 2 to about 30, preferably 2 to about 15, more preferably 2 to about 6, and X is coupling agent residue; wherein each An is a selected glassy polymer end block of a monoalkenyl arene compounds, more specifically, a monovinyl aromatic compounds such as polystyrene (where superscript n=1), monovinylnaphithalene as well as the alkylated derivatives thereof such as poly(alpha-methylstyrene) (n=2), poly(o-methylstyrene) (n=3), poly(m-methylstryene) (n=4), poly(p-methylstyrene) (n=5) poly(tertiary-butylstyrene) (n=6), and the like, and midblocks (B) comprising polymer chains of poly(butylene), poly(ethylene), poly(ethylene) and poly(propylene) or -EEP-, -EB-EB-, -EB-EB/S-EB-, -EB-EB/S-EB-, -EB-EB/S-, -EB-EB-, -EB-EB/S-EB)n-, -EB-EB/S-, -EP-EP/S-EP-, -EB-EP/S-EB-, -EB-EP/S-EP-, and the like.

The invention gel composition comprises at least one high viscosity linear multiblock copolymers, controlled distribution styrene copolymers, and star-shaped (or radial) copolymers. The invention gel compositions copolymer comprises 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated styrene isoprene/butadiene block copolymer(s) more specifically, controlled distribution block copolymers and hydrogenated styrene block polymer with 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene and 1,3-butadiene) or poly(styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene) SEEPS or poly(styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene)n, (SEEP)n, S-EB-EB/S-EB-S, (S-EB-EB/S-EB)n, (S-EB-EB)n, (S-EB-EB)n-S, (S-EB-EB/S-EB)n-S, (S-EB-EB/S)n.

The controlled distribution (CD) styrene block copolymer type Kraton A (S-B-B/SBS) and hydrogenated version Kraton GA (S-EB-EB/S-EB-S) type CD polymers are useful in forming the invention gels; they exhibit improved properties over conventional styrene block copolymer type Kraton G including improved tear resistant and improved rupture resistant, lower tack, and other improved properties over type Kraton G. Corresponding type Kraton GA like that of Kraton G1651 exhibit such improvements, such as CD polymer #25 or RP6936 with a PSC % of approximate 40.1 and a calculated midblock PSC % of approximately 26. Corresponding type Kraton GA like that of Kraton G1654 exhibit such improvements. Corresponding type Kraton GA of Kraton G1650 exhibit such improvements. Corresponding type Kraton GA of Kraton G1652 exhibit such improvements. While, lower melt viscosity Kraton GA, such as CD polymers #24 or RP6935 being more isotropic with a Tg of −13° C. can be compared to G1650 in some respects. In general, all corresponding type Kraton GA like that of Kraton G exhibit such improvements.

The SEEPS, S-EB-EB/S-EB-S, (S-EB-EB/S-EB)n, (S-EB-EB)n, (S-EB-EB)n-S, (S-EB-EB/S-EB)n-S, and (S-EB-EB/S)n copolymers are characterized as having a Brookfield Viscosity value at 5 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 30° C. of from less than about 40 mPa·s to about 150 mPa·s and higher, advantageously from about 40 mPa·s to about 60 mPa·s and higher, more advantageously from about 50 mPa·s to about 80 mPa·s and higher, still more advantageously from about 70 mPa·s to about 110 mPa·s and higher, and even more advantageously from about 90 mPa·s to about 180 mPa·s and higher than about 350 cps.

In a further embodiment of the invention, ethylene-styrene copolymers are also incorporated to form the invention gels, invention gel composites and invention gel articles. These are produced by metallocene catalysts, using single site, constrained geometry addition polymerization catalysts resulting in substantially random poly(ethylene-styrene) copolymers. Representative ethylene-styrene copolymers are commercially available Dow Interpolymers™, Dow S, M and E Series (ES16, ES24, ES27, ES28, ES28, ES30, ES44, ES53, ES58, ES62, ES63, ES69, ES72, ES73, ES74 and the like). Such interpolymers can be used in combination with major or minor amounts of SEEPS, S-EB-EB/S-EB-S, (S-EB-EB/S-EB)n, (S-EB-EB)n, (S-EB-EB)n-S, (S-EB-EB/S-EB)n-S, and (S-EB-EB/S)n copolymers including SEBS, SEPS in forming gels of the invention.

A further embodiment are invention composite gels comprising one or more selected gel Gn with one or more selected material Mn, characterized by a gel gram Bloom rigidity of about 20 to about 1,800 gram bloom, said composite gels are made from 100 parts by weight of one or more block copolymer with from about 300 to about 1,600 parts by weight of one or more selected plasticizing oils. The amount of one or more said plasticizing oil(s) can have a viscosity of about 4 cSt at 40° C. and greater with or without one or more of additive; wherein the copolymer(s), one or more plasticizers, one or more added polymers, and other additive components are combined to form said gelatinous elastomeric composition; wherein said block copolymer comprises the formulas A-B-A, (A-B)n, (A-B)n-A, (A-B-A)nX, (A-B)nX, An-B-An, (An-B)n, A-B-B/A-B-A and the like; said A being selected from monoalkenylarene polymers including polystyrene; said B being a hydrogenated polymer comprising a plurality of covalently linked conjugated diene monomers including a hydrogenated polymer of isoprene/butadiene.

As use herein, the tack level in terms of “Gram Tack” can be determined by the gram weight displacement force to lift a polystyrene reference surface by the tip of a 16 mm diameter hemi-spherical gel probe in contact with said reference surface as measured on a scale at 23° C. (about STP conditions). Other methods can be use to measure tack, such as the well known rolling ball tack, and 90 degree, and 180 degree peel methods. As used herein, the term “gel rigidity” in gram Bloom is determined by the gram weight required to depress a gel a distance of 4 mm with a piston having a cross-sectional area of 1 square centimeter at 23° C. As described herein, the conventional term “major” means greater than 50 parts by weight and higher (e.g. 5.01, 50.2, 50.3, 50.4, 50.5, . . . 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, . . . 80 and higher, including values in-between based on 100 part by weight of copolymers) and the term “minor” means 49.99 parts by weight and lower (e.g. 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 21, . . . 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7 . . . 0.09, including values in-between and the like) based on 100 parts by weight of the base block copolymer(s). When % is use, the % refers to the % of the total of the component(s) parts by weight.

Because of the high viscosity of the block copolymers and (E) midblocks, the invention gel exhibit different physical characteristics and improvements over amorphous gels including damage tolerance, improved crack propagation resistance, improved tear resistance producing knotty tears as opposed to smooth tears, improved resistance to fatigue, higher hysteresis, etc. Moreover, the invention gels when stretched exhibit additional yielding as shown by necking caused by stress induced crystallinity or yielding of the styrene glassy phases.

The invention gels can optionally comprise selected major or minor amounts of one or more polymers or copolymers provided the amounts and combinations are selected without substantially decreasing the desired properties. The polymers and copolymers can be linear, star-shaped, branched, or multiarm; these including: (SBS) styrene-butadien-styrene block copolymers, (SIS) styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers, (low styrene content SEBS such as Kraton 1650 and 1652) styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers, (SEP) styrene-ethylene-propylene block copolymers, (SEPS Kraton RP-1618) styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymers, (SB)n styrene-butadiene and (SEB)n, (SEBS)n, (SEP)n, (SI)n styrene-isoprene multi-arm, branched or star-shaped copolymers, polyethyleneoxide (EO), poly(dimethylphenylene oxide) and the like. Still, other polymers include homopolymers which can be utilized in minor amounts; these include: polystyrene, polybutylene, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like.

In the case of high molecular weight and combination of high styrene content of the block copolymer which may be the reason for improve tear and fatigue resistance, these properties may be achieved and maintained by blending copolymers of SEEPS and CD S-EB-EB/S-EB-S with minor amounts of copolymers of SBS (Kraton D 1101, 1144, 1116, 1118, 4141, 4150, 1133, 1184, 4158, 1401P, 4240, and KX219), SEBS (G1651, G1654), SEPS, ES30, ES44, ES53, ES58, ES62, ES63, ES69, ES72, ES73, ES74, and the like.

Still other polymers useful in the invention gels include: of trifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole and tetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, maleated poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene), maleated poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene)n, maleated poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), maleated poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene)n, maleated poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene), poly(dimethylphenylene oxide), poly(ethylene-butylene), poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(ethylene-styrene) interpolymer made by metallocene catalysts, using single site, constrained geometry addition polymerization catalysts, poly(styrene-butadiene), poly(styrene-butadiene)n, poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene)n, poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene)n, poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene), poly(styrene-isoprene)n, poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene)n, polyamide, polybutylene, polybutylene, polycarbonate, polydimethylsiloxane; polyethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyethylene, polyethyleneoxide, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, wherein said selected copolymer is a linear, radial, star-shaped, branched or multiarm copolymer, wherein n is greater than one.

When the selected polymers and copolymers contain greater glassy block of styrene content of 33 and higher or additional low molecular weight polystyrene is added, such may be effective to provide a Gram Tack lower than a invention gels having the same rigidity formed from the block copolymers alone with or without one or more first plasticizers in combination with or without one or more second plasticizers. The selected component polymers of polystyrene forming a styrene content of 33 and higher when used in effective amounts can provide a higher temperature compression set than a gelatinous composition having the same rigidity formed from the block copolymers and corresponding first plasticizers alone or the first plasticizers with a second plasticizer. The invention gels' self-adhesion also decreases with increasing over all styrene content of the gels. Selection of ESI and SBS with higher styrene content can provide lower self-adhesion, lower tack, or no tack to the invention gels.

On the other hand, the lower viscosity first plasticizer can impart lower Gram Tack to the invention gels than an increase of styrene content of the copolymers or polymers and copolymers. The low tack and non tacky invention gels can be made from one or more linear, branched, star-shaped (radial), or multiarm block copolymers or mixtures of two or more such block copolymers having one or more midblock polymer chains which invention gels have advantages use as invention gel articles with higher tear propagation resistance. The invention gels also possess high tensile strength and rapid return from high extension and can exist in an altered state of delay elastomeric recovery as it regains its original shape following high extensions or dynamic deformations. The invention gels also exhibit low heat set, low compression set, low heat distortion, high dimensional stability, crack, tear, craze, and creep resistance, combination of excellent tensile strength and high elongation, long service life under shear, stress and strain and capable of withstanding repeated dynamic shear, tear and stress forces, excellent processing ability for cast molding, extruding, fiber forming film forming and spinning, non-toxic, nearly tasteless and odorless, soft and strong, optically clear, highly flexible, possessing elastic memory, substantially with little or no plasticizer bleedout, and having low or no tack in contact with human hand which reduction in tackiness can be measured. In one embodiment, the non tacky and optical properties of the invention gels need not rely on powders or surface activation by selected additives to establish their non-tackiness. The invention gels' non-tackiness can be pervasive of the gels' entire bulk or volume. No matter how deep or in which direction a cut is made, the invention gels can be made non-tacky throughout (at all points internally as well as on the gels' surface). Once the gel is cut, the invention gel immediately exhibits non-tackiness at its newly cut surface. Hence, the homogeneity of the non-tackiness and optical properties of the invention gels are not known before the instant invention.

Examples of polymers, block copolymers, copolymers, and blends include: (a) Kraton G 1651, G 1654X; (b) Kraton G 4600; (c) Kraton G 4609; other suitable high viscosity polymer and oils include: (d) Tuftec H 1051; (e) Tuftec H 1041; (f) Tuftec H 1052; (g) low viscosity Kuraray SEEPS 4033 (hydrogenated styrene isoprene/butadiene block copolymers, more specifically, hydrogenated styrene block polymer with 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene and 1,3-butadiene); (h) Kuraray SEBS 8006; (i) Kuraray SEPS 2005; (j) Kuraray SEPS 2006, and (k) blends (polyblends) of (a)-(h) with other polymers and copolymers include: (1) SEBS-SBS; (2) SEBS-SIS; (3) SEBS-(SEP); (4) SEBS-(SEB)n; (5) SEBS-(SEB)n; (6) SEBS-SEP)n; (7) SEBS(SI)n; (8) SEBS-(SI) multiarm; (9) SEBS(SEB)n; (10) (SEB)n star-shaped copolymer, (11) s made from blends of (a)-(k) with other homopolymers include: (12) SEBS/polystyrene; (13) SEBS/polybutylene; (14) SEBS/polyethylene; (14) SEBS/polypropylene; (16) SEP/SEBS, (17) SEP/SEPS, (18) SEP/SEPS/SEB, (19), SEPS/SEBS/SEP, (20), SEB/SEBS (21), EB-EP/SEBS (22), SEBS/EB (23), SEBS/EP (24), (25) (SEB)n s, (26) (SEP)n, (27) Kuraray 2007 (SEPS), (28) Kuraray 2002, (SEPS).

Other polyblends can include: (29) E-S-E and SEEPS, (30) E-S-E and SEB-EB/SEB-S, (31) CD SEBS, (32) E-S-E and CD SEBS, (33) SEPS, SEBS and SEEPS, (34) SEEPS and polystyrene, (35) CD SEBS and polystyrene, (36) S-EB-EB/S-EB-S and SEEPS, and the like.

The controlled distribution styrene block copolymers S-EB-EB/S-EB-S Kraton GA such as RP6936 and the like with desired styrene units in the elastomer segment are very useful in making gels with improved elastic recovery under cyclic loading conditions at or near 100% strain. This reduces their viscosity and makes them easier to process. The styrene content tapers down from very little at the ends of the elastomer segment to a higher concentration in the middle, the EB/S represents a styrene/ethylene/butylene copolymer segment with the maximum styrene content in the center. CD polymers having Tg of −55° C., −54° C., −53° C., −52° C., −51° C., −50° C., −49° C., −48° C., −47° C., −46° C., −45° C., −44° C., −43° C., −42° C., −41° C., −40° C., −39° C., −38° C., −37° C., −36° C., −35° C., −34° C., −33° C., −32° C., −31° C., −30° C., −29° C., −28° C., −27° C., −26° C., −25° C., −24° C., −23° C., −22° C., −21° C., −20° C., −19° C., −18° C., −17° C., −16° C., −15° C., −14° C., −13° C., −12° C., −11° C., −10° C. and the like are useful in making the gel articles of the present invention. CD polymers with polystyrene content of from about 30% to about 65% are useful in forming the gel articles of the invention, including about 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, about 68%. CD polymers with calculated midblock PSC % of from about 25% to about 50% are useful in forming the gel articles of the invention, including about 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, about 55%.

Other representative examples of commercially available elastomers useful in forming gels of the invention include: Shell Kratons D1101, D1102, D1107, D1111, D1112, D1113X, D1114X, D1116, D1117, D1118X, D1122X, D1125X, D1133X, D1135X, D1184, D1188X, D1300X, D1320X, D4122, D4141, D4158, D4240, G1650, G1652, G1657, G1701X, G1702X, G1726X, G1750X, G1765X, FG1901X, FG1921X, D2103, D2109, D2122X, D3202, D3204, D3226, D5298, D5999X, D7340, G1654X, G2701, G2703, G2705, G1706, G2721X, G7155, G7430, G7450, G7523X, G7528X, G7680, G7705, G7702X, G7720, G7722X, G7820, G7821X, G7827, G7890X, G7940, G1730 (SEPSEP), FG1901X and FG1921X. Kuraray's SEPS, SEP/SEPS or SEP/SEB/SEPS Nos. SEP 1001, SEP 1050, 2027, 2003, SEPS 2006, SEPS 2023, SEPS 2043, SEPS 2063, SEPS 2050, SEPS 2103, SEPS 2104, SEPS 2105, SEBS 8004, SEBS 8007, H-VS-3 (S-V-EP-S) and the like.

Typical representative Dow poly(ethylene-styrene) random copolymers (interpolymers) produced by metallocene catalysts, using single site, constrained geometry addition polymerization catalysts resulting in poly(ethylene-styrene) substantially random copolymers include ESI-#1 thru #38, including ES16, ES24, ES27, ES28, ES28, ES30, ES44 with styrene wt % of about 15.7, 23.7, 27.3, 28.1, 39.6 & 43.9 respectively, M copolymers (ES53, ES58, ES62, ES63, and ES69 with styrene wt % of about 52.5, 58.1, 62.7, 62.8, and 69.2 respectively and crystallinity, %, DSC, based on copolymer of about 37.5, 26.6, 174, 22.9, 19.6 and 5.0 respectively), S copolymers (ES72, ES73, and ES74 with styrene wt % of about 72.7, 72.8, and 74.3 respectively). Other grade copolymers include ES60 (melt index 0.1, 0.5, 3, 10), ES20 (MI=0.1, 0.5, 3, 11).

Theory notwithstanding, the multiblock copolymer gel properties can be attributed to the additional blocks affecting the separate polymer phases, the additional blocks affecting the heterophase structure, the additional blocks affecting the interfacial regions between phases of the multiblock polymers, the additional blocks forming a separate phase or inducing the formation of additional separate phases, or the high molecular weight and combination of high styrene content of the block copolymer. Due to the additional number of midblocks of the copolymers, the differences in solubility parameters between (A) and (B) becomes greater than the solubility parameters differences between (A) and (B) of triblock copolymers, where B denotes the lone midblock polymer chain. Moreover, the presence of additional midblocks of ethylene, propylene, butylene, ethylene-propylene, or ethylene-butylene may contribute to stress-induced crystallization. This may explain why as the viscosity of the multiblock copolymers is increased to a higher level, the appearance of the invention gels change from clear to more translucent white.

The invention gels containing one or more SEEPS and SEB-EB/SEBS copolymers in combination with or without other polymers can resist tearing (by almost any desire selected degrees) under tensile loads or dynamic deformation in that when cut or notched, the “crack” made on the gel deep surface does not readily propagate further under dynamic deformation or tensile loads. Unlike triblock copolymer gels, such as certain (SEBS) and (SEPS) gels which possess high tensile strength and will catastrophically snap apart into two reflective clean smooth surfaces when cut or notched under tensile or dynamic loads. Furthermore, when elongated, the invention gels can exhibit two or more draw plateaus and can possess high tensile strength and rapid return from high extension without noticeable set or deformation. As observed, the invention gels can be stretched by a first tensile load with uniform deformation to a measured length, upon the application of higher tensile loads, the gel can be further extended without breaking. Upon release, the gel returns immediate to its original shape and any necking quickly disappears. Again, theory notwithstanding, the additional drawing plateaus of the gel may be attributed to yielding of crystallite formations ethylene or propylene components in the gel or yield of induced interfacial regions of concentrated ethylene or propylene between the domains which during extension absorbs the elastic energy. Likewise, the resistance to tear propagation of the invention gels when notched under tensile load can be attributed to yielding of the gel midblock components, yielding of additional phases, or yielding of interfacial regions before rupture or deformation of the (A) domains can take place.

Additionally, shearing, heating or cooling form the molten state can alter the gels' state. The invention gels can be made to exhibit long elastomeric recovery times. Such gels can be used effectively in suppressing low frequency vibrations and for absorbing energy. The unusual properties of the invention gels can be attributed to altering different phase or interfacial arrangements of the domains of the multiblock copolymers.

These gels can exhibit a larger unit lateral contraction at the same elongation per unit of length as their counterpart parent gels from which the invention gels are derived or formed. This property would allow a same unit volume of gel when elongated as its parent to easily wedge between the teeth when flossing. It would seem that a gel having the 1.0 cm3 volume made from a ratio of 100 parts by weight of copolymer and 400 parts plasticizer would have a unique macro volume configurations that is at equilibrium with the plasticizer which is much like a 3-D fingerprint which is uniquely different from any other gel of a different copolymer to plasticizer ratio. Reducing the plasticizer content of a ratio 100:400 gel to a 100:300 ratio of copolymer to plasticizer will decrease the amount of plasticizer, but the original macro volume configurations will remain the same.

Speculative theories not withstanding, configurations may take the form of (1) swiss cheese, (2) sponge, (3) the insides of a loaf of bread, (4) structures liken to ocean brain corals, (5) large structures and small structures forming the 3-D gel volume landscape, (6) the outer heated surface which cools faster than the inner volumes of the gel during its cooling histories may have a patterned crust (rich in A micro-phases) like that of a loaf of bread and the inner volume may have much like 1-5, and (7) the many different possible structures are unlimited and volume landscapes may be interconnected at the macro-level by threads or micro-strands of B micro-phases.

The amount of plasticizer extracted can advantageously range from less than about 10% by weight to about 90% and higher of the total weight of the plasticizer. More advantageously, the extracted amounts of plasticizer can range from less than about 20% by weight to about 80% by weight of the total plasticizer, and still more advantageously, from about 25% to about 75%. Plasticizing oils contained in the invention gels can be extracted by any conventional methods, such as solvent extraction, physical extraction, pressure, pressure-heat, heat-solvent, pressure-solvent-heat, vacuum extraction, vacuum-heat extraction, vacuum-pressure extraction, vacuum-heat-pressure extraction, vacuum-solvent extraction, vacuum-heat-solvent-pressure extraction, etc. The solvents selected, may be solvents which do not substantially disrupt the A and B phases of the copolymers forming the invention gels. Any solvent which will extract plasticizer from the gel and do not disrupt the A and B phases can be utilized. Suitable solvents include alcohols, primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols, glycols, etc., examples include methanol, ethanol, tetradecanol, etc. Likewise, the pressures and heat applied to remove the desired amounts of oils should not be sufficient to disrupt the A and B domains of the copolymers. To form a lower rigidity gel, the simplest method is to subject the gel to heat in a partial vacuum or under higher vacuum for a selected period of time, depending on the amount of plasticizer to be extracted.

Surprisingly, as disclosed in my application Ser. No. 09/896,047 filed Jun. 30, 2001, oil extraction from the invention gels can be achieved with little or no energy in the presence of one or more silicone fluids to almost any degree. A theory can be made to explain the physics involved in the extraction process which reasoning is as follows: (1) When water is placed in contact with an oil extended gel, the gel will not over time exhibit weight loss. (2) When oil is add to a column of water in a test tube, the oil will separate out and find its level above the column of water. (3) The surface tension of water at 25° C. is about 72.0 mN/m. (4) The surface tension of oil (mineral oil) at 25° C. is about 29.7 mN/m. (5) The surface tension of silicone fluid at 25° C. range from about 16 to about 22 mN/m (for example: the surface tension of 100 cSt silicone fluid at STP is 20.9 mN/m). (6) The density of oil is less than the density of silicone fluid, silicone grease, silicone gel, and silicone elastomer. (7) Oil is not a polar liquid and is highly compatible with the rubber phase of the oil gel forming polymer. (8) Silicone is polar and not compatible with the polymer's rubber phase.

The molecules of a liquid oil drop attract each other. The interactions of an oil molecule in the liquid oil drop are balanced by an equal attractive force in all directions. Oil molecules on the surface of the liquid oil drop experience an imbalance of forces at the interface with air. The effect is the presence of free energy at the surface. This excess energy is called surface free energy and is quantified as a measurement of energy/area. This can be described as tension or surface tension which is quantified as a force/length measurement or m/Nm.

Clearly gravity is the only force pulling on the extracted oil from the gel in the presence of silicone fluid at the gel-petri dish interface in the examples below. In the case of gel samples in the petri dishes in contact with silicone fluids, the extracted oil are collected on the top surface layer of the silicone fluid while the silicone fluid maintain constant contact and surrounds the gel sample. In the case of gel placed in a test tube of silicone fluid of different viscosity, the oil is extracted and migrates and collect at the top of the silicone fluid surface while the gel reduces in volume with time. The oil extraction process in silicone is accompanied by buoyant forces removing the extracted oil from the surroundings of the gel constantly surrounding the gel with fresh silicone fluid while in the example of alcohol, since the oil is heavier, the oil is maintained and surrounds the gel sample forming a equilibrium condition of oil surround the gel sample while keeping the alcohol from being in contact with the gel sample. Therefore in order to use alcohol to extract oil from a gel sample, the extracted oil must be constantly removed from the oil alcohol mixture as is the case during soxhlet extraction which process requires additional energy to pump the oil-alcohol mixture away from the sample and removing the oil before forcing the alcohol back to the gel sample surface to perform further extraction.

Silicone fluid is efficient and useful for extracting oil form oil gel compositions with the assistance of gravity and buoyancy of oil in the silicone fluids. It is very difficult to extract, separate, or remove oil from an oil gel composition by positive or vacuum pressure or heat while using little or no energy and because of the affinity of the rubber midblock for oil, not even the weight of a two ton truck resting on a four square foot area (placing a layer of gel between four pairs of one foot square parallel steel plates one set under each of the truck tire resting on the gels) can separate the oil from the gel composition. The use of silicone fluids of various viscosity acts as a liquid semi porous membrane when placed in constant contact with an oil gel composition will induce oil to migrate out of the gel composition. By the use of gravity or oil buoyancy, no energy is required to run the oil extraction process.

The invention gels, invention gel composite articles can have two or more rigidity regions made by the plasticizer extraction methods of the invention, said gel rigidity regions having no physically separable boundaries. The denoted by G having one or two or more rigidity regions can be in contact with a selected material M or in combination with one or more of a different gel forming a composite of the combination GnGn, GnGnGn, GnMn, GnMnGn, MnGnMn, MnGnGn, MnMnMnGnMn, MnGnGnMn, GnMnGnGn, GnGnMnMn, GnMnMnGn, GnGnMnGnMnGnGn, GnMnGnMnMn, MnGnMnGnMnGn, GnGnMnMnGn, GnGnMnGnMn, GnGnMnGnMnGn, GnMnGnMnGn, MnMnMnGn or a permutation of one or more of said Gn with Mn, wherein when n is a subscript of M, n is the same or different selected from the group consisting of paper, foam, plastic, fabric, metal, metal foil, concrete, wood, glass, glass fibers, ceramics, synthetic resin, synthetic fibers or refractory materials; and wherein when n is a subscript of G, n denotes a different gel rigidity.

The B and A portions of the linear and star-shaped multiblock copolymers are incompatible and form a two or more-phase system consisting of sub-micron glassy domains (A) interconnected by flexible B chains. These domains serve to crosslink and reinforce the structure. This physical elastomeric network structure is reversible, and heating the polymer above the softening point of the glassy domains temporarily disrupt the structure, which can be restored by lowering the temperature. It should be noted that when the A to B ratios falls substantially below about 30:70, various properties such as elongation, tensile strength, tear resistance and the like can decrease while retaining other desired properties, such as gel rigidity, flexibility, elastic memory.

The Kuraray SEPTON 4000 series block polymers: 4033, 4044, 4045, 4055, 4077, 4099, Kraton GA: RP6936, and the like useful in making the gels of the instant invention are made from hydrogenated styrene isoprene/butadiene styrene block copolymer or more specifically made from hydrogenated styrene block polymer with 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene and 1,3-butadiene. Such poly(styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene) polymers, depending on the butadiene structure, when hydrogenated will result in “(SEB/EPS)” or reading the other way “(SEP/EPS)”. In cases where the butadiene structures are controlled, it is appropriate to denote (SEB/EPS) as (SE/EPS) where E/EP is ethylene-ethylene-propylene or more simply as (SEEPS) to indicate that the ethylene (E) of the ethylene-butylene (EB) segment of the midblock (EB/EP) of the (SEB/EPS) block polymer is substantially greater than butylene (B) and the amount of (E) can be sufficient so as to exhibit ethylene crystallinity. The controlled distribution S-EB-EB/S-EB-S block copolymer can be made by varying the relative amount of the distribution agent which creates the controlled distribution of the mono alkenyl arene and conjugated diene, and also controls the microstructure of the conjugated diene which is taught in U.S. Pat. No. Re 27145, and above cited applications Nos. 60/355,210 filed Feb. 7, 2002, Ser. No. 10/359,462 filed Feb. 6, 2003, and Ser. No. 10/745,352 filed Dec. 22, 2003.

At 10 weight percent SEEPS 4055 is about 5,800 mPa·s and higher. Other linear and star multiblock copolymers such as (S-E-EP-S), (S-E-EP-E-S), (S-B-EP-S), (S-E-EB-S), (S-EB-EP-S), (S-E-EP-EB-S), (S-B-EB-S), (S-E-EB-E-S), (S-B-EP-E-S), (S-B-EB-E-S), (S-B-EP-B-S), (S-B-EB-B-S), (S-E-E-EP-S), (S-E-E-EB-S), (S-B-EP-S), (S-B-E-EB-S), (S-B-B-EP-S), (S-B-B-EB-S), (S-E-B-EB-S), (S-E-B-EP-S), (S-EB-EB-S), (S-EP-EP-S), (S-E-EB-EB-S), (S-E-EP-EP-S), (S-E-EB-EP-S), (S-B-EB-EB-S), (S-B-EP-EP-S), (S-B-EB-EP-S), (S-B-EP-EB-S), (S-E-EP-E-EP-S), (S-E-EP)n, (S-E-EP-E)n, (S-B-EP)n, (S-E-EB-S)n, (S-EB-EP-)n, (S-E-EP-EB)n, (S-B-EB)n, (S-E-EB-E)n can also exhibit viscosities at 5 weight percent solution in toluene at 30° C. of from less than about 100 to about 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,200, 1,300, 1,600, 1,800, 2,000 mPa·s and higher.

The copolymer forming the invention gels can have a broad range of A end block to B center block ratio of about 20:80 or less to about 40:60 or higher. The A:Z weight ratios can range from lower than about 20:80 to above about 40:60 and higher. More specifically, the values can be 19:81, 20:80, 21:79, 22:78, 23:77, 24:76, 25:75, 26:74, 27:73, 28:72, 29:71, 30:70, 31:69, 32:68, 33:67, 34:66, 35:65, 36:64, 37:63, 38:62, 39:61, 40:60, 41:59, 42:58, 43:57, 44:65, 45:55, 46:54, 47:53, 48:52, 49:51, 50:50, 51:49 and etc. Other ratio values of less than 19:81 or higher than 51:49 are also possible. Broadly, the styrene block to elastomeric block ratio A:Z of the high viscosity multiblock and star copolymers is about 20:80 to about 40:60 or higher, less broadly about 31:69 to about 40:60, preferably about 32:68 to about 38:62, more preferably about 32:68 to about 36:64, particularly more preferably about 32:68 to about 34:66, especially more preferably about 33:67 to about 36:64, and most preferably about 30:70.

In general, for these block copolymers, the various measured viscosities of 5, 10, 15, and 20, weight percent solution values in toluene at 30° C. can be extrapolated to a selected concentration. For example, a solution viscosity of a 5 weight percent copolymer solution in toluene can be determined by extrapolation of 10, 15, and 20 weight percent measurements to 5 weight percent concentration.

The Brookfield Viscosities can be measured at various neat polymer concentrations, for example, the selected high viscosity linear multiblock copolymers in can have a typical Brookfield Viscosity value of a 20 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 25° C. of about 1,800 cps and higher, and advantageously about 2,000 cps and higher. Typically, the Brookfield Viscosity values can range from at least about 1,800 to about 16,000 cps and higher. More typically, the Brookfield Viscosity values can range from at least about 1,800 cps to about 40,000 cps and higher. Still more typically, the Brookfield Viscosity values can range from at least about 1,800 cps to about 80,000 cps and higher. Due to structural variations between the multiblock and star-shaped copolymers, the high viscosity star-shaped or radial copolymers, typically, may exhibit a lower Brookfield Viscosity value than its counterpart linear multiblock copolymers. However, when the multiblock copolymers are considered as star-shaped or branched, than at equal branch lengths, the solution viscosities of the multiblock copolymers and branched copolymers are about the same or equivalent.

In all cases, the molecular chain lengths (molecular weights) of the multiblock and star-shaped (or radial) copolymers must be sufficient to meet the high solution Brookfield Viscosities requirements described herein that is necessary for making the soft, strong and extreme tear resistant gels.

The copolymers selected have Brookfield Viscosity values ranging from about 1,800 cps to about 80,000 cps and higher when measured at 20 weight percent solution in toluene at 25° C., about 4,000 cps to about 40,000 cps and higher when measured at 25 weight percent solids solution in toluene. Typical examples of Brookfield Viscosity values for star-shaped copolymers at 25 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 25° C. can range from about 3,500 cps to about 30,000 cps and higher, more typically, about 9,000 cps and higher. Other advantageous multiblock and multiblock star-shaped copolymers can exhibit viscosities (as measured with a Brookfield model RVT viscometer at 25° C.) at 10 weight percent solution in toluene of about 400 cps and higher and at 15 weight percent solution in toluene of about 5,600 cps and higher. Other advantageous multiblock and star-shaped copolymers can exhibit about 8,000 to about 20,000 cps at 20 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 25° C. Examples of most advantageous high viscosity linear multiblock copolymers can have Brookfield viscosities at 5 weight percent solution in toluene at 30° C. of from about 40 to about 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 . . . 120, 150, 200 cps and higher, while viscosities of star-shaped multiblock copolymers are 150 cps and higher.

Examples of high viscosity multiblock copolymers having two or more midblocks are Kuraray's (S-E-EP-S) Septon 4033, 4044, 4045, 4055, 4077, 4099, and the like (hydrogenated styrene isoprene/butadiene block copolymers) more specifically, hydrogenated styrene block polymer with 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene and 1,3-butadiene. Kuraray's 4044 (SE-EP-S) multiblock copolymer and 4099 exhibit viscosities at 7.5 and 2.5 weight percent solution in toluene at 30° C. of about 97 mPa·s and about 23 mPa·s with about a typical specification tolerances of about 100+/−20 and 20+/−10 respectively. Kuraray's 4055 (S-E-EP-S) multiblock copolymer and 4077 exhibit viscosities at 5 weight percent solution in toluene at 30° C. of about 90 cps to about 120 mPa·s and about 200 to about 380 mPa·s respectively.

The star-shaped copolymers are characterized as having a Brookfield Viscosity value at 5 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 30° C. of from about 150 mPa·s to about 380 mPa·s and higher, advantageously from about 150 mPa·s to about 260 mPa·s and higher, more advantageously from about 200 mPa·s to about 580 mPa·s and higher, and still more advantageously from about 500 mPa·s to about 1,000 mPa·s and higher.

The presence of polyethylene and crystallinity in block copolymers can be determined by NMR and DSC. Physical measurements (NMR and DSC) of typical commercial Kraton G 1651, Septon 2006, Septon 4033 and Septon 4055 block were performed. Two types of 13C NMR spectra data were collected. The gated decoupled experiment provided quantitative data for each type of carbon atom. The DEPT experiment identified each type of carbon atom having attached protons. The DEPT data allowed assignment of the resonances in the gated decoupled experiment, which was then integrated for quantitation of the different types of midblock and end groups in each polymer tested

The relative quantities of each type of carbon group in the various polymers were found. The uncertainty associated with these measurements is estimated as +3 percentage units. Only the Kraton 1651 spectrum had resonances below about 20 ppm. These resonances, at 10.7-10.9 ppm, were assigned to the butylene methyl group and distinguish the SEBS polymer from the SEPS and SEEPS types of polymer (36). Only the Septon 2006 spectrum lacked the resonance at about 20 ppm that is characteristic of polyethylene units (defined here as three contiguous CH2 groups), and this feature distinguishes the SEPS polymer from the SEBS and SEEPS polymers (36). There were additional differences between the spectra. The Septon 2006 and the Septon 4033 and 4055 spectra all showed resonances at 20 ppm; whereas the spectrum of Kraton 1651 was missing this resonance. The 20 ppm peak is characteristic of the methyl group of a propylene subunit, which is present in SEPS and SEEPS polymers but absent in the SEBS polymer. There were also a methylene peak, at 24.6 ppm, and a methine peak at 32.8 ppm, in all of the Septon spectra but not in the Kraton 1651 spectra. These resonances also arise from the propylene subunit.

The chemical shifts, relative intensifies, and relative integrations were the same for the spectra of the Septon 4033 and Septon 4055, indicating that these two polymeric compositions are identical based on NMR spectroscopy.

DSC of ASTM D3417-99 was modified to provide conditions for the samples to have the best possible chance to exhibit any crystallinity. The protocol was as follows: (1) heat to 140° C.@ 10° C./min., (2) cool to 0° C.@ 2° C./min., (3) place in freezer for 1 week, (4) heat to 140° C.@ 1° C./min, and (5) cool to 0° C.@ 1° C./min.

This protocol was used with the exception that the samples were left in the freezer for approximately 2 months, instead of 1 week, because the DSC equipment broke during the week after the first run and required some time for repair. This delay is not expected to have negatively impacted the results of the experiment.

Two HDPE reference samples gave clearly defined crystallization exotherms and fusion endotherms, allowing calculation of heats of crystallization and fusion. These results showed that the equipment and methodology were fully functional, and this check was performed daily during DSC operation. Of the samples, only Kraton 1651 showed discernable transitions for both crystallization and fusion. The Septon 2006 showed no discernable transitions, which is consistent with its SEPS structure being entirely amorphous. The Septons 4033 and 4055 showed crystallization exotherms.

The heats of crystallization for the Kraton 1651 and Septons 4033 and 4055 were small, below about 3 J/g, indicating that small amounts of crystallinity are present in these polymers. The DSC data show:

Kraton 1651: crystallization exotherm peak at 18.09° C., crystallization exotherm—mass normalized enthalpy (J/g) of 1.43, fusion endortherm peak at 34.13° C., and Fusion Endotherm—mass normalized enthalphy J/g of 15.17.

Septon 2006: crystallization exotherm peak (not detected), crystallization exotherm—mass normalized enthalpy (not detected), fusion endortherm peak NONE, and Fusion Endotherm—mass normalized enthalphy (not detected).

Septon 4033: crystallization exotherm peak at 2.86° C., crystallization exotherm—mass normalized enthalpy (J/g) of 3.00, fusion endortherm peak (not detected), and Fusion Endotherm—mass normalized enthalphy (not detected).

Septon 4055: crystallization exotherm peak at 14.4° C., crystallization exotherm—mass normalized enthalpy (J/g) of 1.32, fusion endortherm peak (not detected), and Fusion Endotherm—mass normalized enthalphy (not detected).

Aldrich 13813JU polyethylene reference: crystallization exotherm peak at 119.72° C., crystallization exotherm—mass normalized enthalpy (J/g) of 174.60, fusion endortherm peak at 130.70° C., and Fusion Endotherm—mass normalized enthalphy J/g of 189.90.

The Brookfield Viscosity of a 5 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 30° C. of 2006 is about 27. Typical Brookfield Viscosities of a 10 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 30° C. of Kuraray SEP 1001, SEP 1050, SEPS 2007, SEPS 2063, SEPS 2043, SEPS 2005, SEPS 2006, are about 70, 70, 17, 29, 32, 50, 1200, and 1220 respectively. Typical Brookfield Viscosity of a 25 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 25° C. of Kraton D1101, D1116, D1184, D1300X, G1701X, G1702X are about 4000, 9000, 20000, 6000, 50000 and 50000 mPa·s respectively. Typical Brookfield Viscosity of a 10 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 25° C. of G1654X is about 370 cps. The Brookfield Viscosities of a 20 and 30 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 30° C. of H-VS-3 are about 133 mPa·s and 350 mPa·s respectively. Other polymers such as, thermoplastic crystalline polyurethane copolymers with hydrocarbon midblocks can also be employed. A method of making block copolymers of the type SEEPS, SEBS, and SEPS are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,295.

The glassy A component type homopolymers can be advantageously added to provide non-tackiness which are selected from one or more homopolymers of: polystyrene, poly(alpha-methylstyrene), poly(o-methylstyrene), poly(m-methylstryene), poly(p-methylstyrene), and poly(dimethylphenylene oxide) (GE PPO 612 and Arizona XR 6504). Such glassy polymers can be use in forming the invention gel, but would increase hot tack.

The average molecular weight of the glassy homopolymers useful in the invention gels advantageously can range from about 2,500 to about 90,000, typical about 3,000; 4,000; 5,000; 6,000; 7,000; 8,000; 9,000; 10,000; 11,000; 12,000; 13,000; 14,000; 15,000; 16,000; 17,000; 18,000; 19,000; 20,000; 30,000; 40,000; 50,000; 60,000; 70,000; 80,000; 90,000 and the like. Example of various molecular weights of commercially available polystyrene: Aldrich Nos.: 32,771-9 (2,500 Mw), 32,772-7 (4,000 Mw), 37,951-4 (13,000 Mw), 32-774-3 (20,000 Mw), 32,775-1 (35,000 Mw), 33,034-5 (50,000 Mw), 32,777-8 (90,000 Mw); poly(alpha-methylstyrene) #41,7947 (1,300 Mw), 19,1841 (4,000 Mw); poly(4-methylstyrene) #18,227-3 (72,000 Mw), Endex 155, 160, Kristalex 120, 140 from Hercules Chemical, GE: Blendex HPP820, HPP822, HPP823, and the like.

Suitable triblock copolymers and their typical viscosities are further described: styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers (SEBS) available from Shell Chemical Company and Pecten Chemical Company (divisions of Shell Oil Company) under trade designations Kraton G 1651, Kraton G 1654X, Kraton G 4600, Kraton G 4609 and the like. Shell Technical Bulletin SC: 1393-92 gives solution viscosity as measured with a Brookfield model RVT viscometer at 25° C. for Kraton G 1654X at 10% weight in toluene of approximately 400 mPa·s and at 15% weight in toluene of approximately 5,600 cps. Shell publication SC:68-79 gives solution viscosity at 25° C. for Kraton G 1651 at 20 weight percent in toluene of approximately 2,000 cps. When measured at 5 weight percent solution in toluene at 30° C., the solution viscosity of Kraton G 1651 is about 40. Examples of high viscosity SEBS triblock copolymers includes Kuraray's SEBS 8006 which exhibits a solution viscosity at 5 weight percent at 30° C. of about 51 cps. Kuraray's 2006 SEPS polymer exhibits a viscosity at 20 weight percent solution in toluene at 30° C. of about 78,000 cps, at 5 weight percent of about 27 cps, at 10 weight percent of about 1220 cps, and at 20 weight percent 78,000 cps. Kuraray SEPS 2005 polymer exhibits a viscosity at 5 weight percent solution in toluene at 30° C. of about 28 cps, at 10 weight percent of about 1200 cps, and at 20 weight percent 76,000 cps. Other grades of SEBS, SEPS, (SEB)n, (SEP)n polymers can also be utilized in the present invention provided such polymers exhibits the required high viscosity. Such SEBS polymers include (high viscosity) Kraton G 1855X which has a Specific Gravity of 0.92, Brookfield Viscosity of a 25 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 25° C. of about 40,000 mPa·s or about 8,000 to about 20,000 mPa·s at a 20 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 25° C.

The styrene to ethylene and butylene (S:EB) weight ratios for the Shell designated polymers can have a low range of 20:80 or less. Although the typical ratio values for Kraton G 1651, 4600, and 4609 are approximately about 33:67 and for Kraton G 1855X approximately about 27:73, Kraton G 1654X (a lower molecular weight version of Kraton G 1651 with somewhat lower physical properties such as lower solution and melt viscosity) is approximately about 31:69, these ratios can vary broadly from the typical product specification values. In the case of Kuraray's SEBS polymer 8006 the S:EB weight ratio is about 35:65. In the case of Kuraray's 2005 (SEPS), and 2006 (SEPS), the S:EP weight ratios are 20:80 and 35:65 respectively. Much like S:EB ratios of SEBS and (SEB)n, the SEP ratios of very high viscosity SEPS triblock copolymers are about the same and can typically vary as broadly.

The triblock copolymers such as Kraton G 1654X having ratios of 31:69 or higher can be used and do exhibit about the same physical properties in many respects to Kraton G 1651 while Kraton G 1654X with ratios below 31:69 may also be use, but they are less advantageous due to their decrease in the desirable properties of the final gel.

The high glassy component copolymers suitable for use in forming the invention gel include high styrene component BASF's Styroflex series copolymers including BX 6105 with a statistical SB sequence for the low elastomeric segments (styrene to butadiene ratio of 1:1) and an overall styrene content of almost 70%, high styrene content Shell Kraton G, Kraton D-1122X (SB)n, D-4122 SBS, D-4240 (SB)n, D-4230 (SB)n, DX-1150 SBS, D-4140 SBS, D-1115 SBS, D-4222 SBS, Kraton D-1401P, SEBS, Dexco's Vector 6241-D, 4411-D, Fina's Finaclear high styrene content SBS series copolymers, Phillips Petroleum's XK40 K-Resin styrene/butadiene copolymers, Kuraray's S2104 SEPS. The copolymers include amorphous polymers with high styrene content: SBS, SIS, SEPS, SEB/EPS, and the like. The copolymers with glassy to elastomeric ratios can range from 37:63, 37.6:62.4, 38:62, 39:61, 40:60, 41:59, 42:58, 43:57, 44:65, 45:55, 46:54, 47:53, 48:52, 49:51, 50:50, 51:49 52:48, 53:47, 54:46, 55:45, 56:44, 57:43, 58:42, 59:41, 60:40, 6:39, 62:38, 63:37, 64:36, 65:35, 66:34, 67:33, 68:32, 69:31, 70:30, 7:29, 72:28, 73:27, 74:26, 75:25, 76:24, 77:23, 78:22, 79:21, to 80:20 and higher. High styrene content Dow ES30, and ES44 with styrene wt % of 15.7, 23.7, 27.3, 28.1, 39.6 & 43.9 respectively, M copolymers (ES53, ES58, ES62, ES63, and ES69 with styrene wt % of 52.5, 58.1, 62.7, 62.8, and 69.2 respectively and crystallinity, %, DSC, based on copolymer of 37.5, 26.6, 17.4, 22.9, 19.6 and 5.0 respectively, S copolymers ES72, ES73, and ES74 with styrene wt % of 72.7, 72.8, and 74.3 respectively may also be used. These hard to process polymers can be added (from 0.01 to 30 parts by weight) by dry blending in combination with 200-400 parts oil and with SEEPS 4055, 4033, 4077, 4045, 4044, 4099 and the like and extruded at about between 75° C.-135° C. to form a pre-blend and then formulated with additional oil or/or oil and copolymers to produce the final invention gel.

Suitable polyolefins include polyethylene and polyethylene copolymers such as Dow Chemical Company's Dowlex 3010, 2021D, 2038, 2042A, 2049, 2049A, 2071, 2077, 2244A, 2267A; Dow Affinity ethylene alpha-olefin resin PL-1840, SE-1400, SM-1300; more suitably: Dow Elite 5100, 5110, 5200, 5400, Primacor 141-XT, 1430, 1420, 1320, 3330, 3150, 2912, 3340, 3460, Dow Attane (ultra low density ethylene-octene-1 copolymers) 4803, 4801, 4602, Eastman Mxsten CV copolymers of ethylene and hexene (0.905-0.910 g/cm3).

Plasticizers particularly advantageous for use in practicing the present invention are will known in the art, they include rubber processing oils such as paraffinic and naphthenic petroleum oils, highly refined aromatic-free paraffinic and naphthenic food and technical grade white petroleum mineral oils, and synthetic liquid oligomers of polybutene, polypropene, polyterpene, etc. The synthetic series process oils are high viscosity oligomers which are permanently fluid liquid nonolefins, isoparaffins or paraffins of moderate to high molecular weight.

Examples of for use in the invention are many. Representative commercially available plasticizing oils include Amoco® polybutenes, hydrogenated polybutenes, polybutenes with epoxide functionality at one end of the polybutene polymer, liquid poly(ethylene/butylene), liquid hetero-telechelic polymers of poly(ethylene/butylene/styrene) with epoxidized polyisoprene and poly(ethylene/butylene) with epoxidized polyisoprene: Example of such polybutenes include: L-14 (320 Mn), L-50 (420 Mn), L-100 (460 Mn), H-15 (560 Mn), H-25 (610 Mn), H-35 (660 Mn), H-50 (750 Mn), H-100 (920 Mn), H-300 (1290 Mn), L-14E (27-37 cst @ 100° F. Viscosity), H-300E (635-690 cst @ 210° F. Viscosity), Actipol E6 (365 Mn), E16 (973 Mn), E23 (1433 Mn), Kraton L-1203, EKP-206, EKP-207, HPVM-2203 and the like. Example of various commercially oils include: ARCO Prime 55, 70, 90, 200, 350, 400; Tufflo oils 6006, 6016, 6016M, 6026, 6036, 6056, 6206; Bayol, Bernol, American, Drakeol, Ervol, Gloria, Kaydol, Litetek, Lyondell Duroprime 55, 70, 90, 200, 350, 400; Ideal FG 32, 46, 68, 100, 220, 460; Marcol, Parol, Peneteck, Primol, Protol, Sontex, Witco 40 oil, Ervol, Benol, Blandol, Semtol-100, Semtol 85, Semtol 70, Semtol 40, Orzol, Britol, Protol, Rudol, Carnation, Klearol; Witco oils 350, 100, 85, 70, 40, Pd-23, Pd-25, Pd-28, FG 32, 46, 68, 100, 220, 460; Duroprime Ds-L, Ds-M, Duropac 70, 90, Crystex 22, Af-L, Af M, Ste Oil Co, Inc: Crystal Plus 70, 200, 350, Lyondell: DUROPRIME 180, DUROPRIME 200, Duroprime DS L & M, Duropac 70, 90, Crystex 22, Crystex AF L & M; Chevron Texaco Corp: Superta White Oil 5, Superta 7, 9, 10, 13, 18, 21, 31, 35, 38, 50; Penreco: Conosol 340, Conosol C-200, Drakeol 15, 13, 10, 10B, 9, 7, 5, 50; Peneteck; Ultra Chemical Inc, Ultraol White 60Nf, Ultraol White 50Nf; Witco Hydrobrite 100, 550, 1000, 200PO, 280PO, 300PO, 380PO, 550PO, KLEAROL, CARNATION, SEMTOL 70, BLANDOL, SEMTOL 85, BERNOL, ERVOL, PROTOL, GLORIA, 250PO, 550PO, LP100, LP150, LP200, LP350, 300PO, 380PO, SEMTOL 100, KAYDOL, LP200, LP250, LP300, LP350, Semtol 100, and the like.

Selected amounts of one or more compatible plasticizers can be used to achieve gel rigidities of from less than about 2 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom and higher. Tack may not completely be dependent upon the amount of the glassy phase, by using selected amount of certain low viscosity oil plasticizers, block copolymers of SEBS, SEEPS, SEPS, SEPn, SEBn, S-EB-EB/S-EB-S, and the like, gel tack can be reduced or the gel can be made non-tacky.

As described at page 23 of copending applications U.S. Ser. No. 09/285,809 and incorporated by reference above, minor amounts of one or more compatible plasticizers can be utilized in forming the invention gels. In providing non-tack gels, minor or major amount of plasticizers used can be low viscosity plasticizers having viscosities advantageously of not greater than typically about 30 cSt@ 40° C., for example 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, and the like.

Major or minor amounts (based on 100 parts by weight of base elastomer) of any compatible second plasticizers can be utilized in forming the invention gel, but because of the non-tack property of the invention gel, the major amount of first plasticizers used can be low viscosity plasticizers having viscosities advantageously of not greater than about 30 cSt@ 40° C., for example 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and the like, specific examples include: 2.61, 3.9, 4.46, 4.56, 8, 12.76, 15.4, 17.8, 19.5, 24.6, 29, 36.2, 37.5, 40.8, 40.9, 46.86, 48.5, 59.3, 60, 66, 68.5, 72.8, 109.8, and lower values, in between and greater values as determined by ASTM D445.

Plasticizers in minor or major amount for use in the invention gels and invention gel articles such as invention fishing bait gel articles which require less tack, negligible tack, non-tack feel, and no tack, oil viscosities of about 10 and lower are of great advantage. Such plasticizers typically exhibit about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 cSt@ 40° C. and less; exhibit an initial ASTM D2827 distillation boiling point (IBP) below about 490° F. ranging from about 480° F. to about less than 300° F., including 290° F., 310° F., 320° F., 330° F., 340° F., 350° F., 360° F., 370° F., 375° F., 385° F., 395° F., 405° F., 416° F., 420° F., 435° F., 438° F., 450° F., 455° F., 460° F., 477° F., 485° F., and the like. In certain cases a plasticizer can exhibit a high viscosity of 17.8 while maintaining a low IBP of 477° F.

The invention gel tack decreases with decreasing oil viscosities of from about 30 to 3. The invention gels' self-adhesion also decreases with decreasing oil viscosities. Invention gels which are non-tacky to the touch can be achieved using oils with viscosities of about 10 cSt@ 40° C. and less. Best result can be achieved using oils with viscosities of about 6 and less. Oils of higher viscosities of from about 500 cSt@ 40° C. to about 30 produce higher and higher tack with increase in viscosities. Heat temperature set resistance improves with increase in oil viscosity. Oils with viscosities less than about 15 exhibit heat set at about 50° C. Therefore a combination of low viscosity oils to improve low tack and high viscosity oils to improve set can be achieved by blending various oils having the desired viscosities for the desired end use. The disassociation of polystyrene is about 100° C. to about 135° C., the invention gels do not melt below the disassociation temperature of polystyrene. It is important that fishing bait when stored in a fishing box in the hot Sun at about 50° C. to about 58° C. do not suffer substantial heat set as tested at these temperatures in a 108° U bend for one hour.

It has been found that the lower the oil viscosity, the lower the heat set of the resulting gel composition and the higher the oil viscosity use in the gel compositions of the invention, the higher the heat set of the resulting gel composition. For example, if the first plasticizer is less than about 50 SUS @ 100° F., the heat set of the resulting gel composition comprising 100 parts of copolymers of equal parts of SEEPS 4055 and Kraton G 1651 with about 600 parts by weight of the first plasticizer, the resulting is found to have a heat set less than that of a conventional PVC plastisol fishing bait at about 50° C. However, as the 50 Vis SUS @ 100° F. oil of the formulation is gradually replaced with a higher viscosity oil of about 80-90 SUS @ 100° C., the heat set deformation improves with increasing amounts of the higher viscosity oil. In order to obtain equal heat set performance as conventional PVC plastisol fishing bait, the first and second plasticizers would have to be of equal amounts in the gel composition. Replacing the first plasticizer with a greater amount would increase the gel tack. If tack is not of great concern, then a higher amount of the second plasticizers would be beneficial for improving heat set at higher and higher temperatures to the point that the second plasticizers can reach greater than 2525 SUS @ 100° C. (Ideal FG 100, 220, or 460 oil) the resulting gel composition would not exhibit set at even temperatures greater than 400° F.

The cited first plasticizers with or without one or more second plasticizers can be used in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom. The second plasticizers in effective amounts in combination with the first plasticizers can provide a greater temperature compression set than a gelatinous composition having the same rigidity formed from the first plasticizers alone. The second plasticizers when used can provide a greater temperature compression set than a gelatinous composition having the same rigidity formed from the first plasticizers alone or formed from a combination of the first plasticizers and the second plasticizers. The first plasticizers being in effective amounts with said second plasticizers can provide a Gram Tack lower than a gelatinous composition having the same rigidity formed from the second plasticizers alone.

Generally, various low to high viscosity commercially available plasticizing oils with average molecular weights ranging from less than about 200 to greater than about 700 may also be used (e.g. H-300 (1290 Mn)), specific examples involved: 220, 229, 234, 245, 299, 328, 343, 348, 312, 375, 343, 404, 360, 414, 409, 424, 377, 490, 390, 396, 424, 517, 546, and values lower, in between and greater as determined by ASTM 2502. It is well know that minor and sufficient amounts of Vitamin E is added to the described commercially available oils during bulk processing which is useful as a oil stabilizer, antioxidant, and preservative.

Of all the factors, the amount and varying viscosities of plasticizing oils can be controlled and adjusted advantageously to obtain substantially higher tear and tensile strength gels, low compression set. Another embodiment which is of advantage for improving high temperature heat set of the gel articles is to utilize silicon dioxide powder in combination with one or more low viscosity plasticizing oils. The combination can form gels exhibiting lower compression set and lower distortion under load under high heat conditions such as in a fish tackle box under the Summer sun. The amount of silicon dioxide can range from less than less than about 0.5% to about 7% by weight of oil and higher. Examples of useful amounts of silicon dioxide include: 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, and lower, in between, and higher values. In terms of 50/50 volume of silicon dioxide powder to oil, less than 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5%, 5% and greater weight of M5 Cabo-sil® (silica powder, a form of silicon dioxide) (including minor % amounts in-between) for example is approximately equal to 50% volume low viscosity of Witco 40 oil. By using low viscosity plasticizers with silica powder, less amounts of higher viscosity plasticizers is needed to achieve lower compression set at increasing temperature conditions.

The improvements in tensile strength of the invention gels are accompanied by corresponding increase in gel rigidity as the amount of plasticizing oils can be lowered until the rigidity of the invention gels becomes much higher than that of the rigidity of the gums (for example) which surround the teeth. Although higher tensile strengths can be obtained as the amount of plasticizing oils in the gel approaches zero, when use as a floss, the tensile strength, however, can be maintained at an acceptable gel rigidity (at sufficient high plasticizing oil levels) to be as soft as the gums for flossing. For example, the rigidities of a gel containing 100, 200, or 300 parts by weight of oil is much higher than a gel containing 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, or 900 parts of oil. Selected amounts of one or more low viscosity plasticizers can be use to advantage in forming the gels of the invention having little or no tack.

The refractive index of commercially available oils at 77° F. can typically vary from below about 1.440 to above about 1.495 including 1.442, 1.446, 1.4485, 1.45, 1.4578, 1.4596, 1.461, 1.4622, 1.4625, 1.464, 1.4651, 1.4652, 1.4658, 1.4673, 1.4697, 1.4697, 1.47, 1.471, 1.4731, 1.4736, 1.4741, 1.4746, 1.4752, 1.4755, 1.4755, 1.4755, 1.4763, 1.4764, 1.4765, 1.4786, 1.479, 1.4797, 1.4805, 1.4809, 1.4838, 1.4919, and the like, typical examples include: 1.4438, 1.4462, 1.457, 1.4485, 1.4578, 1.4625, 1.4822, 1.4651, 1.4652, 1.4673, 1.4674, 1.4755, 1.4697, 1.4755, 1.4731, 1.4786, 1.4719, 1.4736, 1.4746, 1.4797, 1.4755, 1.4805, 1.4809, 1.4765, 1.4763, 1.4752, and values lower, in-between and greater as determined by ASTM D1218.

Not only can the invention gels be made translucent, opaque, non-tacky to the touch or extremely tacky, the gels are naturally transparent, and optically clear suitable for optical use within a wide range of desire index of refractions. The gels can be made strong, elastic, highly tear resistant, and rupture resistant. The invention gels can be formed into any shape for the intended use such as solid shapes for use as articles of manufacture, thin and thick sheets, strands, strings, ropes, fibers, fine silk like filaments can be applied in its molten state onto various substrates to formed composites and blended with various substances to form composite blends.

This physical elastomeric network structure of the invention gels are reversible, and heating the polymer above the softening point of the glassy domains temporarily disrupt the structure, which can be restored by lowering the temperature. During mixing and heating in the presence of compatible plasticizers, the glassy domains (A) unlock due to both heating and solvation and the molecules are free to move when shear is applied. The disruption and ordering of the glassy domains can be viewed as a unlocking and locking of the elastomeric network structure. At equilibrium, the domain structure or morphology as a function of the (A) and (B) phases (mesophases) can take the form of spheres, cylinders, lamellae, or bicontinous structures. The scale of separation of the phases are typically of the order of hundreds of angstroms, depending upon molecular weights (i.e. Radii of gyration) of the minority-component segments. The sub-micron glassy domains which provides the physical interlocking are too small to see with the human eye, too small to see using the highest power optical microscope and only adequately enough to see using the electron microscope. At such small domain scales, when the gel is in the molten state while heated and brought into contact to be formed with any substrate and allowed to cool, the glassy domains of the gel become interlocked with the surface of the substrate. At sufficiently high enough temperatures, with or without the aid of other glassy resins (such as polystyrene homopolymers and the like), the glassy domains of the copolymers forming the invention gels fusses and interlocks with even a visibly smooth substrate surface such as glass. The disruption of the sub-micron domains due to heating above the softening point forces the glassy domains to open up, unlocking the network structure and flow. Upon cooling below the softening point, the glassy polymers reforms together into sub-micron domains, locking into a network structure once again, resisting flow. It is this unlocking and locking of the network structure on the sub-micron scale with the surfaces of various materials which allows the gel to form interlocking composites with other materials.

A useful analogy is to consider the melting and freezing of a water saturated substrate, for example, foam, cloth, fabric, paper, fibers, plastic, concrete, and the like. When the water is frozen, the ice is to a great extent interlocked with the substrate and upon heating the water is able to flow. Furthermore, the interlocking of the ice with the various substrates on close examination involves interconnecting ice in, around, and about the substrates thereby interlocking the ice with the substrates. A further analogy, but still useful is a plant or weed well established in soil, the fine roots of the plant spreads out and interconnects and forms a physical interlocking of the soil with the plant roots which in many instances is not possible to pull out the plant or weed from the ground without removing the surrounding soil also.

Likewise, because the glassy domains are typically about 200 Angstroms in diameter, the physical interlocking involve domains small enough to fit into and lock with the smallest surface irregularities, as well as, flow into and flow through the smallest size openings of a porous substrate. Once the gel comes into contacts with the surface irregularities or penetrates the substrate and solidifies, it becomes difficult or impossible to separate it from the substrate because of the physical interlocking. When pulling the gel off a substrate, most often the physically interlocked gel remains on the substrate. Even a surface which may appear perfectly smooth to the eye, it is often not the case. Examination by microscopy, especially electron microscopy, will show serious irregularities. Such irregularities can be the source of physical interlocking with the gel.

Regarding resistance to fatigue, fatigue (as used herein) is the decay of mechanical properties after repeated application of stress and strain. Fatigue tests give information about the ability of a material to resist the development of cracks or crazes resulting from a large number of deformation cycles. Fatigue test can be conducted by subjecting samples of amorphous and gels to deformation cycles to failure (appearance of cracks, crazes, rips or tears in the gels).

Tensile strength can be determined by extending a selected gel sample to break as measured at 180° U bend around a 5.0 mm mandrel attached to a spring scale. Likewise, tear strength of a notched sample can be determined by propagating a tear as measured at 180° U bend around a 5.0 mm diameter mandrel attached to a spring scale.

When the copolymers are combined with oils of selected refractive index, the refractive index of the resulting gel can exhibit a corresponding refractive index greater than the oil(s) alone. This depends on the amount and type of copolymer(s) used. By selecting the refractive index and ratio of the oil(s) and selecting one or more of the copolymers of the invention gel, the final refractive index of the gel can be match to almost any degree require for end use gel article. Moreover, a matching of two different refractive index gels or gel pairs (one greater density and one lower density), light can be channeled within the gel having the higher refractive index (greater density). In this way, light can be dissipated or allowed to escape from the higher refractive index gel (greater density) to a lesser extent. By forming adjacent lower refractive index gel layers on all sides of a higher refractive index gel shaped article such as a sheet, rod, tube, and the like, light being transmitted in the higher refractive index gel can experience less light loss. Generally, when light passes from a gel of another of different density in a direction normal to the interface between the two gels, its direction is unaltered. If, however, it makes an angle different from zero with the normal, it is refracted, in the sense of being bent toward the normal in the gel of greater density. In passing in the opposite direction it is bent away from the normal in the gel of lesser density. The quantitative law of refraction is the well known Snell's Law. Gels of various forms and of various indices of refraction can be made to employ the principle of total reflection. Light incident on the gel-gel interface at an angle greater than the critical angel have no possible path in the lower density gel and are therefore totally reflected. From Snell's Law, if the angle of incidence, i, is such that the refracted and reflected light are at right angles to each other, then for a gel of refractive index n equals tan i. This relationship is known as Brewster' law, which states that the angle of incidence for complete polarization is that angle whose tangent is equal to the index of refraction of the reflecting gel material. The index n of the gel articles of the invention can range from less than about 1.400 to greater than about that of 1.500. The gels of the invention are excellent for cladding glass for purpose of transmitting light in glass. This is because the gel cladding in most instances can be formulated to a refractive index lower than glass.

In general, the basis of this invention resides in the fact that one or more of a high viscosity linear multiblock and star-shaped multiblock copolymers or a mixture of two or more of such copolymers having (A) end block to elastomeric block ratio preferably within the contemplated range of styrene to rubber ratios of from about 20:80 to about 40:60 and higher, more preferably from between about 31:69 to about 40:60 and higher when blended in the melt with one or more of an appropriate amount of plasticizing oil makes possible the attainment of invention gels having a desirable combination of physical, mechanical, and tribological properties, notably high elongation at break of at least 1,6000%, ultimate tensile strength of about 8×105 dyne/cm2 and higher, low elongation set at break of substantially not greater than about 2%, tear resistance of 5×105 dyne/cm2 and higher, substantially about 100% snap back when extended to 1,200% elongation, an adhesive tack, a low tack, a no tack surface.

More specifically, the invention gels of the present invention exhibit one or more of the following properties. These are: (1) tensile strength of about 8×105 dyne/cm2 to about 107 dyne/cm2 and greater, (2) elongation of less than about 1,600% to about 3,000% and higher, (3) elasticity modulus of about 104 dyne/cm2 to about 106 dyne/cm2 and greater, (4) shear modulus of about 104 dyne/cm2 to about 106 dyne/cm2 and greater as measured with a 1, 2, and 3 kilogram load at 23° C.; (5) gel rigidity of about less than about 2 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom and higher, (6) tear propagation resistance of at least about 5×105 dyne/cm2; (7) and substantially 100% snap back recovery when extended at a crosshead separation speed of 25 cm/minute to 1,200% at 23° C. Properties (1), (2), (3), and (6) above are measured at a crosshead separation speed of 25 cm/minute at 23° C.

As the invention gels formed from multiblock copolymers having more and more midblock polymer chains can be expected to exhibit greater delay recovery form extension or longer relaxation times with increasing number of midblocks and increasing midblock lengths, such invention gels having more than three midblocks forming the copolymers can exhibit extreme tear resistance and excellent tensile strength while at the same time exhibit almost liquid like properties. For example, a fun toy can be made from (S-E-EB-E-S), (S-B-EB-EB-S), (S-E-EP-E-EP-S), (S-P-EB-P-EB-S), (S-E-EB-E-EB-E-S), (S-E-EP-E-EP-E-EP-E-S), (S-E-EP-EP)n, (S-B-EP-E-EP)n, (S-E-EP-E-EP-E)n, (S-E-EB-EB-E-EB-E-EB-S)n copolymer invention gels which are molded into cube shapes when placed on the surface of a incline will collect it self together and flow down the incline as a moving body much like a volume of water moving on a high surface tension surface. This is due to the greater distance between the end block (A) domains. Such liquid like performing invention gels can be very strong and exhibit extreme tear resistance as exhibited by invention gels made from (S-E-EP-S) multiblock copolymer invention gels with shorter (A) distance between domains. Such liquid like invention gels when shaped into a cube will be deformed by the force of gravity on Earth, but will retain its memory and regain to its molded cube shape when released in outer space or reform into a cube if let loose in a container of liquid of equal density. As a comparison, such a toy formed in the shape of a large cube from a high viscosity triblock copolymer with a plasticizer content of 1:1,600 parts will be flattened by the force of gravity and run down an incline, but is very fragile and will start to tear if attempt is made to pick it up by hand. This is an excellent comparison of the difference of tear resistance difference between triblock copolymer gels and multiblock copolymer invention gels. A useful application is to use such an elastic liquid gel volume to fill a container or to encapsulate an electrical or electronic component in a container filling every available space, when needed, the shapeless gel volume can be removed by pouring it out of the container whole.

The shear resistant characteristics of the invention gels can be indirectly determined by subjecting the gel to the shear forces of a pair of twisting strings and the resulting inward pulling forces of the twisting strings can be directly read off of a spring scale. As a pair of strings are gradually twisted, typical values will range from less than one pound to fifty pounds and greater. As the string is being twisted (simulating increased shearing forces), the measured pulling forces can range from a low value of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 . . . to values of 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 pounds and greater.

Gel material of low strength can not resist the tremendous shearing action of the twisting strings. The twisting action of the strings can exhibit a first order twist, a second order twist, or higher order twists. A first order twist refers to one or more twists of a pair of strings (i.e. a pair of strings when twisted together forms a small tight binding helix). A second order twist refers to one or more large binding helixes build up by a pair of strings that have been twisted beyond the maximum number of twist which normally produce small tight binding helixes of the first order kind. Similarly, a third order twist refers to a much larger tightly binding helix build up by the maximum number of second order twists produced by the pair of twisting strings. The third order twist may be manifested by the appearance of a branch of two or more twist of the first order twisting strings.

The order of twisting will increase (from a one, two, three, and higher order twist) until the rubber band breaks. Likewise, a looped string with one end attached to a spring scale and the other end attached to a fixed anchor can be twisted into a first, second, third, and higher ordered twist state. This method can be utilized to directly measure the force generated for each ordered twist states. The static force generated by twisting a string on a spring scale is a way of determining the shear force generated in the shearing action of forcing the gel floss between two closely contacting teeth when flossing.

In considering dental flossing criteria, one or more of the following conditions can be regarded as useful factors for dental flossing gels.

SHEAR RESISTANT CRITERIA: for the invention gels to be considered useful for flossing, the invention gels, critically, can withstand a twisting string shearing force of at least about 5 Kg, more advantageously at least about 8 Kg, and still more advantageously at least about 10 Kg of inward pulling force of a pair of twisting strings measured directly on a spring scale.

FLOSSING CYCLE CRITERIA: for the invention gels to be considered useful for flossing, the invention gels, critically, can advantageously be able to perform at least 4 flossing cycles, more advantageously 8 cycles, and still more advantageously of about 20 cycles without breaking apart when a 3.0 mm diameter gel strand is tested on a set of simulated upper front teeth fully contacting under a uniform spring load of (0.9027 Kg) two pounds. The simulated upper front teeth comprises two small stainless steel rollers (⅜″ dia.) facing lengthwise parallel and forced together so as to form a contact length of ½ inches under a spring load of two pounds as measured by a Entran® model ELO-200-4 load cell adjusted by a straight micrometer at room temperature.

GEL STRENGTH CRITERIA: for the invention gels to be considered useful for flossing, the invention gels, critically, can advantageously exhibit a tensile strength of at least 5 Kg/cm2 (when extended to break as measured at 180o U bend around a 5.0 mm mandrel attached to a spring scale) and more advantageously at least 8 Kg/cm2, and still more advantageously of about 10 Kg/cm2 and higher. The invention gels useful as dental floss can exhibit tensile strengths at break of at least 20 Kg/cm2, more advantageously of at least 40 Kg/cm2, and exceptionally more advantageously at least 60 Kg/cm2. Typically, the tensile strengths range from about 20 Kg/cm2 to about 110 Kg/cm2 and higher, more typically from about 30 Kg/cm2 to 80 Kg/cm2 and higher, especially more typically from about 40 Kg/cm2 to about 90 Kg/cm2 and higher, and exceptionally typically from about 50 Kg/cm2 to about 100 Kg/cm2 and higher.

PROPAGATING TEAR CRITERIA: as a minimum, for the Invention gels to be considered useful for flossing, the invention gels, critically, can advantageously exhibit a propagating tear force (when propagating a tear as measured at 180o U bend around a 5.0 mm diameter mandrel attached to a spring scale) of at least about 1 Kg/cm, more advantageously at least 2 Kg/cm, and still more advantageously of about 3 Kg/cm and higher. The invention gels useful as dental floss can exhibit tear strengths of at least 4 Kg/cm and higher, more advantageously of at least 6 Kg/cm and higher, exceptionally more advantageously of at least 8 Kg/cm and higher. Typically, the tear propagation strength can range from about 5 Kg/cm to about 20 Kg/cm and higher, more typically from about less than 5 Kg/cm to about 25 Kg/cm and higher, especially more typically form about less than 6 Kg/cm to about 30 Kg/cm and higher, and exceptionally more typically from about less than 8 Kg/cm to about 35 Kg/cm and higher. For the Invention gels to be considered useful for flossing, the invention gels, critically, can advantageously exhibit a propagating tension tear force (when a cylindrical sample is notched and a tear is initiated at the notched area and propagated past its maximum cylindrical diameter by length-wise stretching of the cylindrical sample) of at least about 1 Kg/cm, more advantageously at least 2 Kg/cm, and still more advantageously of about 4 Kg/cm and higher. The extreme tear resistant invention gels typically will exhibit even higher tension tear values.

RIGIDITY CRITERIA: the rigidities of the extreme tear resistant useful for flossing can advantageously range from about 350 gram to about 1,800 gram Bloom, more advantageously from about 400 gram to about 1,500 gram Bloom, especially more advantageously from about 450 gram to about 1,200 gram Bloom, still more advantageously from about 450 gram to about 1,000 gram Bloom, and less advantageously at values of greater than 1,800 gram Bloom.

In general, as a minimum, the flossing invention gels can exhibit several critical properties, including advantageously the ability to: (1) withstand a shearing force of at least about 5 Kg under the string twisting test described above, (2) perform at least 4 flossing cycles without breaking apart when tested on a set of simulated upper front teeth fully contacting under a uniform spring load of two pound, (3) exhibit a tensile strength of at least 5 Kg/cm2 and higher, (4) exhibit a propagating tear force at 180o U bend tear test of at least about 1 Kg/cm, and (5) exhibit a propagating tension tear force (on a notched cylindrical sample) of at least about 1 Kg/cm.

For use as a dental floss, the gel is made (by extruding, spinning, casting, etc) as a continuous gel strand, the gel strand can be in the shape of a fiber of a selected diameter (from less than about 0.15 to about 5.0 mm and greater) as a continuous tape having a selected width and thickness (less than 0.10 mm thin to about 5.0 mm and thicker) or in any desired shape suitable for flossing. The fiber, tape or a selected shape is then cut to a desired length, rolled up and placed into a dispenser suitable for containing and dispensing a measured use amount of gel floss. The continuous fiber and tape can be partly cut or notched for measured single or multiple use. When the floss is pulled from the dispenser to a point showing the notched or cut mark on the length of gel floss, the lid is pushed down on the gel floss nipping it and allowing the floss to be further pulled and separated at the notched or cut point. Additionally, a suitable floss dispenser containing a measured length of gel floss can be fitted with a cutting edge attached to its lid or on its body and the uncut and un-notched gel floss can be dispensed from the dispensing container and cut at the desired measured use length by pressing close the dispenser cutting edge down on the floss so as to nip and cut the gel or by simply closing the dispenser lid or running the gel along the cutting edge on the dispenser body separating a useful length of gel floss.

One of the difficulty of providing a standard length of invention gel floss strand is that one user may require a longer comfortable length while another user may need only a shorter length. Further, a child or the elderly would have additional difficulties in using a gel strand, because of the requirement of wrapping it around the fingers or hand. Therefore, an invention gel article specifically designed for flossing as shown in FIGS. 5 a-5 m would be ideal. The invention floss gel articles provides a selected fix dose in terms of area, width, and length for flossing. It provides for secure holding without the need for wrapping. It can be packaged more simply instead of the need to insert a coiled, a twisted, a tangled strand into a container. The container useful for holding the new invention floss gel articles can comprise a see through flexible film package or see through plastic container. The invention gel floss articles is a shaped invention gel formed into a shaped article tube and illustratively use in FIGS. 5 a-5 m. FIG. 5 a shows a lengthwise cross-section of the invention gel floss tube. FIG. 5 b shows a lengthwise cross-section of tube elements at both ends with a flat gel middle. FIG. 5 c shows a flatten 5 b view from one edge of the flatten gel floss. FIG. 5 d shows two curved inner terminus of the tubes next to the flat width gel flossing area. FIG. 5 e shows a more conforming version of the invention gel floss with the flossing width area view from one edge. FIGS. 5 f and 5 j shows two thumbs and two fingers inserted into 5 e respectively. FIG. 5 g shows a deformed elongated gel floss tube. FIGS. 5 h and 5 i shows gel floss tubes 5 a of different tube diameters. FIGS. 5 k-5 m shows gel floss tubes being further and further extended for use. The ends of the tubes of the invention gel floss articles can be rolled onto and off the thumbs and fingers for easy of use. The invention gel floss tubes can be donned on adjacent finger digits or opposing finger digits. The tube at each end length can have different diameters for insertion to accommodate different size digits. Once rolled onto the digits and pulled, the tube end length diameters can gradually reduce in size and becomes tighter fitting and grips the digits more firmly preventing the ends from slipping off the digits. The tube area or width portion for insertion in the tooth gap is adjusted for varying thickness by stretching the donned digits apart forcing the tube to collapses and become thinner and thinner suitable for flossing. No matter what the gap space between the tooth, the invention gel floss articles can accommodate because of the variable thickness of the flossing area or width can be controlled by the extension of the digits. The tube portion surrounding the digits can be quickly and easily rolled off after use. Such invention floss gel articles do not have the problems inherent of gel stands.

In practice, typically during flossing, a gel strand will under go various deformations, some of these deformations can be measured, including original shape, extended shape under tension, nipping force, and nipped deformation under a measured force and width. Typically, any shaped gel strand can be used for flossing, a square cross-section, a circular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, round, oval, etc. For example, a 2.35 mm diameter strand when extended under a force of 2.5 kg can be nipped down to 0.14 mm thickness (along a 3 mm uniform width of its cross-section) by a force of 0.9072 Kg (2.0 pound force), a reduction of 16.78:1; a 1.89 mm diameter strand when extended under a force of 2.5 kg can be nipped down to 0.14 mm thickness by a force of 0.9072 Kg (2.0 pound force), a reduction of 13.5:1; a 2.75 mm diameter strand when extended under a force of 2.5 kg can be nipped down to 0.19 mm thickness by a force of 0.9072 Kg (2.0 pound force), a reduction of 14.4:1; and a 2.63 mm diameter strand when extended under a force of 2.5 kg can be nipped down to 0.19 mm thickness by a force of 0.9072 Kg (2.0 pound force), a reduction of 13.8:1. the cross-section of the gel floss can be reduced to any degree by stretching and nipping (from less than about 1% to about 1,600% and higher). Advantageously, a gel having the required strength, tear resistance, gel rigidity, and other characteristics described can be formed into a floss of any selected cross-section and thickness provided the floss is capable of being stretched when flossing under tension without breaking. Typically the stretching or pulling force is from about less than 0.1 Kg to about 3 Kg and higher. The cross-section of the strand of gel floss can be capable of being nipped by a 0.9027 Kg (2 pounds) force applied across a width of 3 mm from its original cross-sectional dimensions to a nipped thickness of about 3.0 mm to about 0.02 mm and lower, more advantageously from about 2.5 mm to about 0.04 mm and lower, still more advantageously from about 2.0 mm to about 0.08 mm and lower, especially advantageously from about 1.5 mm to about 0.15 mm and lower; especially more advantageously from about 1.2 mm to about 0.20 mm and lower, especially still more advantageously from about 1.0 mm to about 0.25 mm and lower.

The invention gels made from higher viscosity copolymers are resistant to breaking when sheared than triblock copolymer gels. This can be demonstrated by forming a very soft gel, for example 100 parts copolymer to 800 parts plasticizing oil. The soft gel is cut into a strip of 2.5 cm×2.5 cm cross-section, the gel strip is gripped lengthwise tightly in the left hand about its cross-section and an exposed part of the gel strip being gripped lengthwise around its cross-section tightly by the right hand as close to the left hand as possible without stretching. With the two hands gripping the gel strip's cross-section, the hands are moved in opposite directions to shear apart the gel strip at its cross-section. The shearing action by the gripping hands is done at the fastest speed possible as can be performed by human hands. The shearing action is performed at a fraction of a second, possible at about 0.5 seconds. Using this demonstration, the copolymer invention gels will not easily break completely apart as would gels formed from triblock copolymers. In some cases, it will take two, three, or more attempts to shear a high viscosity copolymer gel strip this way. Whereas, a lower viscosity triblock copolymer gel strip can be sheared apart on the first try. For gels made from copolymers with viscosities of 5 wt % solution in Toluene, their shear resistance will decrease with decreasing viscosity. For example, the shear strengths as tested by hand shearing described above of invention gels made from copolymers having polymer viscosities of 150, 120, 110, 105, 95, 90, 89, 85, 70, 60, 58, 48, 42, 40, 35, 28, 27, 25, 21 cps, and the like can be expected to decrease with decreasing viscosity.

The tensile strengths of multiblock copolymer invention gels made from higher viscosity copolymers can be slightly lower than or equal to the tensile strengths of gels made from lower solution viscosity triblock copolymers. Strands of invention gels comprising higher viscosity multiblock copolymers will perform better than gel strands made from gels of lower viscosity triblock copolymers when used in flossing amalgam molars and more than three times better when used in flossing front teeth.

Invention gels, in general, will exhibit higher tensile and greater tear resistance than their parent invention gels containing higher concentrations of plasticizer. As compared to spongy nylon, regular waxed nylon, and extra fine unwaxed nylon when flossing amalgam molars, the performance of multiblock copolymer invention gels are on the average substantially better.

Another embodiment of the invention gels is making adherent invention gels by selecting high and higher viscosity plasticizers and decreasing selected low and lower viscosity plasticizers in formulating the invention gels, invention gel articles, invention (polymer blend) gel composites and articles, and invention gel composites. The choice of high and higher viscosity plasticizers allows for increase in tack or adhesives gel properties without other additives. By eliminating low and lower viscosity plasticizers, tack is increased; by eliminating all low and lower viscosity plasticizers, higher and higher tack is achieved, as higher viscosity plasticizers are use, higher tack is achieved. Likewise, selected amounts of higher viscosity plasticizers can decrease gel compression set and distortion set at higher and higher temperatures. For example invention gel made from a plasticizer having a viscosity of about 70 cSt@ 40° C. can exhibit lower compression heat set and higher adhesion or high tack than a gel made from a plasticizer with a viscosity of about 36 cSt. An invention gel made from a plasticizer having a viscosity of about 70 cSt@ 40° C. can exhibit lower compression heat set and higher adhesion or high tack than a gel made from a plasticizer with a viscosity of about 36 cSt. An invention gel made from a plasticizer having a viscosity of about 100 cSt@ 40° C. can exhibit lower compression heat set and higher adhesion or high tack than a gel made from a plasticizer with a viscosity of about 70 cSt. An invention gel made from a plasticizer having a viscosity of about 66 cSt@ 40° C. can exhibit lower compression heat set and higher adhesion or high tack than a gel made from a plasticizer with a viscosity of about 46 cSt. An invention gel made from a plasticizer having a viscosity of about 18 cSt@ 40° C. can exhibit lower compression heat set and higher adhesion or high tack than a gel made from a plasticizer with a viscosity of about 10 cSt. An invention gel made from a plasticizer having a viscosity of about 8 cSt@ 40° C. can exhibit lower compression heat set and higher adhesion or high tack than a gel made from a plasticizer with a viscosity of about 5 cSt. An invention gel made from a plasticizer having a viscosity of about 4.5 cSt@ 40° C. can exhibit lower compression heat set and higher adhesion or high tack than a gel made from a plasticizer with a viscosity of about 2.5 cSt.

A further embodiment of the invention adherent gels is the incorporation of minor amounts of SEP, SEB, SEBSEB and SEPSEP block copolymers for improving the tack of the SEEPS and CD SEB-EB/SEBS, CD SEBS, CD SEPS, CD SEEPS, and CD SEP-EP/SEPS block copolymers invention gels.

In formulating the adherent invention gels, higher and higher initial boiling point (IBP) plasticizers produce more and more adhesiveness in the gels of the invention. In theory, the formulation of adherent and non-adherent gels, their tack and non-tack property balance can be due to the viscosity and IBP of the plasticizers used. An example is Witco oil Benol having an IBP of about 475° F. and a viscosity of about 18 cSt@ 40° C. This being contrary to the reasoning that lower and lower viscosity plasticizers produce decreases in tack. An invention gel made from Witco Carnation® having IBP of about 525 and viscosity of about 13 cSt can exhibit a higher tack than made with Benol® which viscosity is about 5 cSt higher. Likewise, Witco Protol® with a viscosity of about 36 cSt has a higher viscosity than about 25 cSt for Witco Ervol®, but can exhibit lower tack. Likewise for Witco Bandol® with a cSt of about 16 can exhibit a lower tack than Camation® with a viscosity of 13 cSt. These anomalies can be explained when a comparison is made of the IBP of Protol®, Benol®, and Blandol®; their IBP are lower than other oils with lower viscosities. This can only be if these oils are not “straight cuts” from the distillation process, but a blend of different viscosity oils containing a small or very small amounts of lower viscosity oils or lower average molecular weight oils. It is because of the small or very small amount of lower viscosity oils which suppress their IBP that invention gels made from these lower IBP, but higher over all viscosity oils are less tacky. This surprise, instead, confirms the theory that lower and lower viscosity or lower and lower average molecular weight components of any given batch or grade of plasticizer with lower IBP impart less tack to the invention gels and invention gel articles. In other words, the amount of or higher viscosity of or higher IBP of the plasticizers do not matter as much as the presence of small amounts of lower viscosity or lower IBP plasticizers to impart lower tack in the invention gels and invention gel articles. The theory is further supported by comparing the specific Gravity @ 25° C. of various grades to IBP of the plasticizers.

Therefore this fair warning. When considering plasticizers to formulate adherent invention gels and non-adherent invention gels, the viscosity of the plasticizers can not be solely relied upon. When considering plasticizers to formulate improved compression heat set invention gels, the IBP of the plasticizers can not be solely relied upon. When considering plasticizers to formulate adherent invention gels, non-adherent invention gels, and compression heat set, the viscosity of the plasticizers can not be solely relied upon. When considering plasticizers to formulate compression heat set invention gels, the viscosity of the plasticizers can not be solely relied upon.

A still further embodiment of the invention gels is making adherent invention gels by the incorporation of adhesion resins is to provide strong and dimensional stable adherent invention gels, invention gel composites, and invention gel articles. Typically such adherent invention gels can be characterized as adhesive invention gels, soft adhesives or adhesive sealants. Strong and tear resistant adherent invention gels may be formed with various combinations of substrates or adhere (attach, cling, fasten, hold, stick) to substrates to form adherent gel/substrate articles and composites, including gel to gel composites.

Various glassy phase associating resins having softening points above about 120° C. can also serve as additives to increase the glassy phase of the Invention gel and met the non-tackiness criteria, these include: Hydrogenated aromatic resins (Regalrez 1126, 1128, 1139, 3102, 5095, and 6108), hydrogenated mixed aromatic resins (Regalite R125), and other aromatic resin (Picco 5130, 5140, 9140, Cumar LX509, Cumar 130, Lx-1035) and the like.

The commercial resins which can aid in adhesion to materials (plastics, glass, and metals) may be added in minor amounts to the invention gels, these resins include: polymerized mixed olefins (Super Sta-tac, Betaprene Nevtac, Escorez, Hercotac, Wingtack, Piccotac), polyterpene (Zonarez, Nirez, Piccolyte, Sylvatac), glycerol ester of rosin (Foral), pentaerythritol ester of rosin (Pentalyn), saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon (Arkon P), coumarone indene, hydrocarbon (Picco 6000, Regalrez), mixed olefin (Wingtack), alkylated aromatic hydrocarbon (Nevchem), Polyalphamethylstyrene/vinyl toluene copolymer (Piccotex), polystyrene (Kristalex, Piccolastic), special resin (LX-1035), and the like.

The adhesion properties of the invention gels can also be determined by measuring comparable rolling ball tack distance “D” in cm using a standard diameter “d” in mm stainless steel ball rolling off an inclined of height ‘H’ in cm. Adhesion can also be measured by determining the average force required to perform 180° C. peel of a heat formed G1M1 one inch width sample applied at room temperature to a substrate M2 to form the composite M1G1M2. The peel at a selected standard rate cross-head separation speed of 25 cm/minute at room temperature is initiated at the G1M2 interface of the M1G1M2 composite, where the substrate M2 can be any of the substrates mentioned and M1 preferably a flexible fabric, metal surface.

Other cold applied adherent gels to teflon type polymers: TFE, PTFE, PEA, FEP, etc., polysiloxane as substrates are achieved using the adherent invention gel. Likewise, adherent invention gel substrate composites can be both formed by casting hot onto a substrate and then after cooling adhering the opposite side of the adherent gel to a substrate having a low melting point. Two or more invention gels of different rigidity, of different gel polymer blends, of different selected material containing invention gels can be formed to form GnGn, Gn,Gn,Gn, and the like composites. The adherent gel is most essential when it is not possible to introduce heat in an heat sensitive or explosive environment or in outer space. The use of solid or liquid resins promotes adherent gel adhesion to various substrates both while the adherent gel is applied hot or at room temperature or below or even under water. The adherent invention gels can be applied without heating to paper, foam, plastic, fabric, metal, concrete, wood, wire screen, refractory material, glass, synthetic resin, synthetic fibers, and the like.

The substrate materials include selected from the group consisting of paper, foam, plastic, fabric, metal, metal foil, concrete, wood, glass, various natural and synthetic fibers, including glass fibers, ceramics, synthetic resin, and refractory materials. The invention gels can be casted unto substrates, such as open cell materials, metals, ceramics, glasses, and plastics, elastomers, fluoropolymers, expanded fluoropolymers, Teflon (TFE, PTFE, PEA, FEP, etc), expanded Teflon, spongy expanded nylon, etc.; the molten gel composition is deformed as it is being cooled. Useful open-cell plastics include: polyamides, polyimides, polyesters, polyisocyanurates, polyisocyanates, polyurethanes, poly(vinyl alcohol), etc. Open-celled Plastic (sponges) suitable for use with the compositions are described in “Expanded Plastics and Related Products”, Chemical Technology Review No. 221, Noyes Data Corp., 1983, and “Applied Polymer Science”, Organic Coatings and Plastic Chemistry, 1975. These publications are incorporated herein by reference.

In my U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,117, is described a non-adhering gel which is made non-adhering, by incorporating an advantage amount of stearic acids. The gels of this invention can be formulated with metal stearates to decrease tack (e.g., aluminum stearate, barium stearate, calcium stearate, lithium stearate, magnesium stearate, potassium stearate, sodium stearate, strontium stearate, zinc stearate, polyethylene glycol distearate, polypropylene glycol ester or fatty acid, and polytetramethylene oxide glycol distearate, waxes, stearic acid. Such non-adhering gels by including additives are no longer optical clear and with time some of the additives can blooms uncontrollably to the gel surface, much less so, when formed with gels of controlled distribution SEB/SEBS copolymers.

As described at pages 23-27 of copending applications U.S. Ser. No. 09/285,809 and pages 20-23 of U.S. Ser. No. 09/274,498 incorporated by reference above, polyphenolics with one or more sterically hindered phenolic hydroxyl groups when incorporated into the invention gels will result in the appearance of large crystals in the interior as well as on the surface of the gels. The crystals have no effect on the high COF of the resulting gels. When selected amounts of internal nucleating agents are incorporated in the invention gels in combination with selected amounts of one or more of a low coefficient of friction (COF) agents, the large crystals no longer forms within the gels; and the surface of the gels exhibit lower and lower COF with time. Bringing the gels in contact with selected external nucleating agents decreases the time or totally eliminates the time needed for the gel's outer surface to exhibit a low COF.

The polymer waxes that are effective in decreasing the tack of the invention gels are Polywax 400 polyethylene, Polywas 725, Petrolite C-400, Unithox 750 Ethoxylate, Unilin 700 Alcohol, available from Baker Hughes of Barnsdall, Okla.

The gels and soft elastomers incorporating low COF agents and internal and/or external nucleating agents exhibit a much lower coefficient of friction when measured in contact with a reference surface than gels and soft elastomers made without such components. School book physics teaches COF can be determined experimentally, for two given surfaces that are dry and not lubricated, the ratio of the tangential force needed to overcome the friction to the normal force which holds the two surfaces in contact (e.g., the weight of a block of gel or elastomer material on a surface) is a constant, independent of the area or of the velocity with which the surfaces (surface of a side of the block in contact with another surface) move over wide limits. This ratio is μ, the coefficient of friction. The coefficient of sliding friction for a block of material being μ=(f/F _(n)) where f is the force of friction, and Fn the normal force. For the case of the block on the horizontal table, if m is the mass of the block, then mg is the normal force and the above equation can be written as μ=f/mg.

In the case the block of a block rests on a board, originally horizontal, and that the board then is tilted until a limiting angle φ is reached, beyond which the block will begin to slide down the board. At this angle the component of the weight of the object along the board is just equal in amount to that necessary to overcome the force of friction. The force down the plane is mg sin φ, while the normal force is mg cos φ. Therefore we have μ=(mg sin φ)/(mg cos φ) or μ=tan φ.

The limiting value of φ for which μ=tan φ is true is call the angle of repose. Measurement of the tangent of this angle will give the coefficient of friction of the contacting surfaces of the block and the board that slide one upon the other. As an example of low COF agents advantageously useful in soft thermoplastic elastomers and gels, excellent results is achieved with 50 grams of a polyphenolic with sterically hindered phenolic hydroxyl groups (Irganox 1010), about 100 grams of one or more nucleating agents (such as very fine particle size sodium benzoate, dibenzylidene sorbitol, its alkylated derivatives, talc, zinc sterate, amorphous silica, aluminum sterate, etc.) and 5,000 grams of S-EB-S and 25,000 gram of oil. The same excellent result is achieved when S-EB-S is adjusted to 3,000 grams, 4,000 grams, etc. The same result is achieved with copolymers as well as in combination with other polymers. Moreover, when about 50 grams of tetrakis[methylene 3,-(3′5′-di-tertbutyl-4″hydroxyphenyl) propionate]methane is use (per about 22.68 Kilograms or 50 lbs of gel) as a low COF agent, tack is completely removed from the surface of the gel after two to three weeks of blooming.

When this is repeated with an external nucleating agent, such as with various fine particles for coating the outside surface of the elastomer or gel which fine particles can also be useful for removing tack, such as with talc, metal stearates including aluminum sterate, calcium stearate, zinc sterate, amorphous silica, fine flour, corn starch, fine soil, fine sand, fine metallic powder, vacuum dust, fine wood dusts and the like, lower COF of the gel surface by internal nucleating agents can be achieved within a few days to less than several hours. After coating the gel for the desired period of time, the fine polar and water soluble particles can be washed off with water and soap, while non-polar and non-water soluble fine powders including talc can be removed by wearing it off or by lifting it off with the use of adhesive tapes if so desired.

What is the surface properties of low CFO agents at the air/plasticizer-copolymer interface? Theory notwithstanding, the resulting gel surface will comprise of very fine molecular segments or even very fine crystal grains of low COF agents confined at the air/plasticizer and polymer interface. Depending on concentration, the non-polar segments of the low COF agents will have a tendency of being adsorbed by the predominate plasticizer and copolymer midblock phase at the gel surface. The slightly polar or more polar segments of the low COF agents are adsorbed to a lesser extent by the plasticizer-copolymer surface. This is supported by observing the water wetting characteristics at the gel surface with and with out low COF agents at the air gel surface interface. A drop of water will bead up and not readily wet the gel surface free of any low COF agents (hydrophobic). The presence of even slightly polar low COF agents exposed on the surface of the gel will make a drop of water flatten out and not bead up when place on the gel surface (hydrophilic).

Commercial high melting point, low oil solubility, and polar low COF agents such as polyphenolics which are advantageously useful in the present invention include: Ethanox 330 Ethyl), Irganox 1010 (Ciba-Geigy), Santechhem A/O 15-1 (Santech), Ultra 210 (GE), Hostanox 03 (Hoechst Celanese), Irganox 3114 (Ciba-Geigy), Mixxim AO-3 Fairmont), and the like. Other high melting point, low oil solubility, polar low COF agents contemplated are common amino acids: Such As Alamine, Arginine, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Cysteine, Glutamine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine and Valine. The melting points of these amino acids range from about 178° C. to about 344° C. The amino acids having greater advantage serving as low COF agents are Asparagine, Aspartic acid. Glutamine, Glutamic acid, Tryptophan, and Tyrosine

Copolymer for forming the low COF compositions include block copolymers, random copolymers, metallocene catalyzed ethylene-styrene copolymers, Low COF gels made from thermoplastic elastomer copolymers and block copolymers having one or more substantially crystalline polyethylene segments or midblocks. The low COF gels advantageously exhibit high, higher, and higher, and ever higher tear resistance than realized before as well as improved high tensile strength. The low COF gels also exhibit improved damage tolerance, crack propagation resistance and especially improved resistance to high stress rupture which combination of properties makes the gels advantageously and surprisingly suitable for any desired use including fishing bait, toys, inflatable air cushions in automobiles, and the like. The invention gels are advantageously useful for making low COF gel compositions. Moreover, various polymer gels made from linear triblock copolymers, multi-arm block copolymers, branched block copolymers, radial block copolymers, multiblock copolymers, random/non-random copolymers, thermoplastic crystalline polyurethane copolymers with hydrocarbon midblocks or mixtures of two or more of such copolymers can also be made with low COF.

The low tack, negligible tack, and no tack properties of the invention gels, invention gel composites, and invention articles are in theory can be achieved by the presence of small amounts of the low viscosity, low IBP plasticizers. The presence of about any measured amount(s) of selected low viscosity, low IBP plasticizers can impart low tack or reduce tackiness to the invention gels and invention gel articles.

Independently (as taught in my application U.S. Ser. No. 09/285,809), the presence of low molecular weight polystyrene or block copolymers of higher styrene end block content can impart a lower tack or a reduction in the invention gels' tackiness at any selected plasticizer viscosities. The combination of greater polystyrene end block content and the presence of lower plasticizer viscosity can further decrease the invention gel articles' tackiness. Invention gels using block copolymers with polystyrene end block content of 33 can exhibit less tack than when using a block copolymer with a styrene content of 30. Invention gels using block copolymers with polystyrene end block content of 35 can exhibit less tack than when using a block copolymer with a styrene content of 33. Invention gels using block copolymers with polystyrene end block content of 37 can exhibit less tack than when using a block copolymer with a styrene content of 35. Block copolymers with styrene content or added low molecular weight polystyrene greater than 33 is capable of reducing the invention gels' tackiness. Useful levels of styrene content include 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and higher. Useful levels of interpolymer E-S-E, poly(ethylene-styrene) (ES) when incorporated in the invention gels can decrease invention gel tack by the contribution of the E-S-E's ethylene and styrene components to the over all increasing styrene content and decrease invention gel tackiness by increasing the over all ethylene crystallinity.

For example, S Ethylene-styrene copolymers ES30 and ES44 having styrene wt % of 39.6 & 43.9 respectively can be used in selected minor amounts to reduce tack because of their higher styrene content. M type copolymers ES53, ES58, ES62, ES63, and ES69 having styrene wt % of 52.5, 58.1, 62.7, 62.8, and 69.2 respectively and crystallinity, %, DSC, based on copolymer of 37.5, 26.6, 17.4, 22.9, 19.6 and 5.0 respectively can be use in minor amounts to reduce tack because of their high styrene content and higher crystallinity. S type copolymers ES72, ES73, and ES74 with styrene wt % of 72.7, 72.8, and 74.3 respectively can be used in very selected minor amounts to reduce tack because of their even higher styrene content. The minor amounts of ethylene-styrene copolymers can range from less than about 1% of the total 100 parts by weight of copolymer to greater than about 10% for tack reduction. Other interpolymers with corresponding styrene and crystallinity content as poly(ethylene-styrene) (ES) that can be use include: poly(ethylene-styrene-propylene) (ESP), poly(ethylene-styrene-4-methyl-1-pentene) (ES4M1P), poly(ethylene-styrene-hexend-1) (ESH1), poly(ethylene-styrene-octene-1) (ESO1), and poly(ethylene-styrene-norborene) (ESN), poly(ethylene-alpha-methylstyrene-propylene), poly(ethylene-alpha-methylstyrene-4-methyl-1-pentene), poly(ethylene-alpha-methylstyrene-hexend-1), poly(ethylene-alpha-methylstyrene-octene-1), and poly(ethylene-alpha-methylstyrene-norborene) and the like.

The use of selected plasticizers described above can decrease or impart no tack to the invention gels and invention gel articles. The invention gel can be made non tacky to the touch and can be quantified using a simple test by taking a freshly cut Gel probe of a selected gel rigidity made from the invention gel. The gel probe is a substantially uniform cylindrical shape of length “L” of at least about 3.0 cm formed components (1)-(3) of the invention gel in a 16×150 mm test tube. The gel probe so formed has a 16 mm diameter hemi-spherical tip which (not unlike the shape of a human finger tip) is brought into perpendicular contact about substantially the center of the top cover of a new, untouched polystyrene reference surface (for example the top cover surface of a sterile polystyrene petri dish) having a diameter of 100 mm and a weight of 7.6 gram resting on its thin circular edge (which minimizes the vacuum or partial pressure effects of one flat surface in contact with another flat surface) on the flat surface of a scale which scale is tare to zero. The probe's hemi-spherical tip is place in contact with the center of the top of the petri dish cover surface and allowed to remain in contact by the weight of the gel probe while held in the upright position and then lifted up. Observation is made regarding the probe's tackiness with respect to the clean reference polystyrene surface. For purpose of the foregoing reference tack test, tackiness level 0 means the polystyrene dish cover is not lifted from the scale by the probe and the scale shows substantially an equal positive weight and negative weight swings before settling again back to zero with the swing indicated in (negative) grams being less than 1.0 gram. A tackiness level of one 1, means a negative swing of greater than 1.0 gram but less than 2.0 gram, tackiness level 2, means a negative swing of greater than 2 gram but less than 3 gram, tackiness level 3, means a negative swing of greater than 3 gram but less than 4 gram, before settling back to the zero tare position or reading. Likewise, when the negative weight swing of the scale is greater than the weight of the dish (i.e., for the example referred above, greater than 7.6 gram), then the scale should correctly read −7.6 gram which indicates the dish has completely been lifted off the surface of the scale. Such an event would demonstrate the tackiness of a gel probe having sufficient tack on the probe surface. The invention gel fails to lift off the polystyrene reference from the surface of the scale when subject to the foregoing reference tack test. Advantageously, the invention gel can register a tackiness level of less than 5, more advantageously, less than 3, still more advantageously, less than 2, and still more advantageously less than 1. The non-tackiness of the invention gel can advantageously range from less than 6 to less than 0.5 grams, typical tack levels are less than 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 grams and the like. Whereas probes of gels made from amorphous gels such as SEPS, SEBS, S-EP-EB-S, and the like with copolymer styrene to rubber ratio of less than 37:63 and plasticizer of higher than 30 cSt 40° C. are found to lift the polystyrene reference from the surface of the scale. For purposes of indicating tack, the method above can provide gel tack level readings of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 grams. More accurate and sensitive readings can be made using electronic scales of tack levels of less than 1 gram. By this simple method tack levels (of a gel probe on a polystyrene reference surface) can be measure in terms of gram weight displacement of a scale initially tare to zero. For purpose of the present invention the method of using a polystyrene reference surface having a weight of 7.6 grams in contact and being lifted by the tackiness of a cylindrical gel probe having a 16 mm diameter hemi-spherical tip is used to determine the tackiness of the invention gel. The level of tack being measured in gram Tack at 23° C.

Non tacky is defined for the purpose of the invention gel as the feeling registered in the mind by the sense of touch of the fingers of the human hand. An reinforcing observation is that a non tacky reference gel sample does not cling or stick to the fingers under its own weight when the force of holding the reference gel sample between the fingers is released and the sample is allowed to fall by the action of gravity. A simple way to accurately measure the non tacky feeling as sensed by the fingers is to drop a reference gel sample having a cylindrical shape of about 1.0 cm diameter and 1.0 cm in length a distance of 10 cm on to the surface of a polystyrene petri dish having a diameter of 10 cm inclined at 45°. The reference gel sample is considered non tacky if it (1) “bounce at least twice before coming to rest”, (2) “bounce off”, (3) “bounce and then rolls off”, or (4) “rolls off” on striking the polystyrene surface. If none of (1) thru (4) is observed, then the level of Gram Tack can be determined by the gel sample method above.

The invention gels can be made to exhibit sufficient low Gram Tack to be noticeable non-tacky to the touch of the fingers of a typical human hand at 23° C. A simple way to accurately measure the non tacky feeling as sensed by the fingers is to drop a reference gel sample having a cylindrical shape of about 1.0 cm diameter and 1.0 cm in length a distance of 10 cm on to the surface of a polystyrene petri dish having a diameter of 10 cm inclined at 45°. The reference gel sample is considered non tacky if it (1) “bounce at least twice before coming to rest”, (2) “bounce off”, (3) “bounce and then rolls off”, or (4) “rolls off” on striking the polystyrene surface. If none of (1) thru (4) is observed, then the level of Gram Tack can be determined by the gel sample method above. Other methods of testing tack is by conventional rolling ball tack.

The gels can be made non-adhering, non-sticking, non-tacky by using major or minor amounts of one or more low viscosity plasticizers. On the other hand, the molten gelatinous elastomer composition will adhere sufficiently to certain plastics (e.g. acrylic, ethylene copolymers, nylon, polybutylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene copolymers, and the like) provided the temperature of the molten gelatinous elastomer composition is sufficient high to fuse or nearly fuse with the plastic. In order to obtain sufficient adhesion to glass, ceramics, or certain metals, sufficient temperature is also required (e.g. above 250° F.).

Glassy phase associating homopolymers such as polystyrene and aromatic resins having low molecular weights of from about 2,500 to about 90,000 can be blended with the triblock copolymers of the invention in large amounts with or without the addition of plasticizer to provide a copolymer-resin alloy of high impact strengths. More advantageously, when blended with multiblock copolymers and substantially random copolymers the impact strengths can be even higher. The impact strength of blends of from about 150 to about 1,500 parts by weight glass phase associating polymer and resins to 100 parts by weight of one or more multiblock copolymers can provide impact strength approaching those of soft metals. At the higher loadings, the impact strength approaches that of polycarbonates of about 12 ft-lb/in notch and higher.

Improved lower compression set, improved lower heat distortion set can be achieved by increasing the styrene content of the block copolymers or by increasing the over all styrene content forming the invention gels and invention gel articles. The increase in styrene content will increased the force needed for elongating the invention gels' than absent the additional amount of polystyrene. Improvements in lower set can also be achieved by increasing the polyethylene crystallinity of the block copolymers or by increasing the over all polyethylene crystallinity forming the invention gels and invention gel articles. Improvements in lower set can also be achieved by incorporating plasticizers having higher, and higher viscosities with or without lower and lower viscosity plasticizers for improve lower gel tack.

The use of selected plasticizers as described above can improve compression heat set in the invention gels and invention gel articles. The requirements of the invention gels for use as fishing bait are many. The invention gels when made to feel non-tacky in the hand are suitable for forming articles for use outdoors (excellent for exposure to environmental extremes) requiring properties suitable for use under high stress, elongation, extremes of indoor and outdoor temperatures as inside the fishermen's tickle box placed in the hot Sun. Summer heat can reach above about 90° F. to about 133° F. or higher inside an automobile or fishing metal or plastic tackle box. The invention gels are suitable for fishing presentations in fresh as well as in salt waters. The invention gels can be made with selectively low or soft to high gel rigidities and can be orientated and multiple colored for special effects. Additives can be incorporated internally or externally to controllably remove, increase or decrease tack, to controllably increase or decrease compression set, heat set, and distortion or deflection under load, to controllably increase or decrease elongation, to controllably increase or decrease rigidity, to controllably increase or decrease tear resistance, and the like to modify or produce any desired properties of the invention gels.

The invention gel can also contain useful amounts of conventionally employed additives such as stabilizers, antioxidants, antiblocking agents, colorants, fragrances, flame retardants, other polymers in minor amounts and the like to an extend not affecting or substantially decreasing the desired properties of the present invention. The present invention gel can also contain useful amounts of conventionally employed additives such as stabilizers, antioxidants, antiblocking agents, colorants, fragrances, flame retardants, flavors, other polymers in minor amounts and the like to an extend not affecting or substantially decreasing the desired properties. Additives useful in the gel of the present invention include: barium ferrite, (1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris[3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl]benzene), 4,4″-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 4,4″-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), alkylated aromatic hydrocarbon, aluminates, aluminatrihydrate, aluminum and brass flakes, aluminum sterate, amorphous silica, antiblocking agents, antimony oxide, azo pigments, barium ferrite, behenamide, blowing agents including water, calcium sterate, carbon blacks, ceramic pigments, Chimassorb 119, 944, 2020, chromium dioxide, clay, coumarone indene, distearyl-pentaerythritol-diproprionate, erucamide, erucyl erucamide, erucyl stearamide, feldspar, fine metallic powder, flame retardants; fluorescent dyes, gas bubbles formed by inert gases, glass, glycerol ester of rosin, hydrocarbon resins, hydrophobic or hydrophilic surface depending on additives, internal and external tack modifiers, Irganox 245, 1076, 1098, 1135, 5057, HP series: 2215, 2225, 2921, 2411, 136; iron cobalt oxides, iron oxides (Fe3O4, —Fe2O3, etc.), iron, ironblues, lake pigments, magnetic particle materials, metal flakes, metallic pigments, mica, microspheres, mixed olefin, molybdenum, silicone fluids, N,N′-ethylenebisoleamide, N,N″-ethylenebisstearamide, non-adhering, non-sticking modifiers, octadecyl 3-(3″,5″-di-tert-butyl-4″-hydroxyphenyl) propionate, oleamide, oleic acid, oleyl palmitamide, other metal sterates, particulate fillers, pentaerythritol ester of rosin, phosphorescent pigments, phthalocynines, pigments, polyalphamethylstyrene/vinyl toluene copolymer, polymerized mixed olefins, polystyrene, polyterpene, saturated alicyclic, hydrocarbons, silica, silicon dioxide, silicone fluids, stearamide, stearic acid, sterryl erucamide, strontium ferrite, talc, tetrakis[methylene 3,-(3′5′-di-tertbutyl-4″-hydroxyphenyl) propionate]methane, thiodiethylene bis-(3,5-ter-butyl-4-hydroxy) hydrocinnamate, Tinuvin P, 123, 144, 213, 234, 326, 327, 328, 571, 622, 770, 765; TiO2, ultramarines, Uvitex OB, waxes (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, microcrystalline, carnauba, paraffin, montan, candelilla, beeswax, ozokerite, ceresine, and the like), wollastonite, zinc sterate, and the like. The report of the committee on Magnetic Materials, Publication NMAB-426, National Academy Press (1985) is incorporated herein by reference.

The invention gels are also suitable for forming composites combinations with various substrates. Another embodiment of the invention is a composite comprising: a gel denoted by G, being in adherent contact, adhesive contact, clinging contact, fastening contact, sticking contact, physical contact, or physically interlocking contact with a selected material M to form composites as denoted for simplicity by their combinations GnGn, GnMn, GnMnGn, MnGnMn, MnGnGn, GnGnMn, MnMnGn, MnMnMnGn, MnMnMnGnMn, MnGnGnMn, GnMnGnGn, GnMnMnGn, GnMnMnGn, GnGnMn Mn, GnGnMn GnMn, GnMnGnGn, GnGnMn, GnMnGnMnMn, MnGnMn GnMnGn, GnGnMnMnGn, GnGnMnGnMn Gn, and the like or any of their permutations of one or more Gn with Mn and the like, wherein when n is a subscript of M, n is the same or different selected from the group consisting of foam, plastic, fabric, metal, concrete, wood, glass, ceramics, synthetic resin, synthetic fibers or refractory materials and the like; wherein when n is a subscript of G, n denotes the same or a different gel rigidity of from less than about 2 gram to about 1,800 gram Bloom and higher).

Furthermore, the interlocking materials with the gel of the invention may be made from flexible materials, such as fibers and fabrics of cotton, flax, and silk. Other flexible materials include: elastomers, fiber-reinforced composites, mohair, and wool. Useful synthetic fibers include: acetate, acrylic, aremid, glass, modacrylic polyethylene, nylon, olefin, polyester, rayon, spandex, carbon, sufar, polybenzimidazole, and combinations of the above. Useful open-cell plastics include: polyamides, polyimides, polyesters, polyisocyanurates, polyisocyanates, polyurethanes, poly(vinyl alcohol), etc. Open-celled Plastic (foams) suitable for use with the compositions of the invention are described in “Expanded Plastics and Related Products”, Chemical Technology Review No. 221, Noyes Data Corp., 1983, and “Applied Polymer Science”, Organic Coatings and Plastic Chemistry, 1975. These publications are incorporated herein by reference. These include: open and non-opened cell silicone, polyurethane, polyethylene, neoprene, polyvinyl chloride, polyimide, metal, ceramic, polyether, polyester, polystyrene, polypropylene. Example of such foams are: Thanol®, Arcol®, Ugipol®, Arcel®, Arpak®, Arpro®, Arsan®, Dylite®, Dytherm®, Styrofoam®, Trymer®, Dow Ethafoam®, Ensolite®, Scotfoam®, Pyrell®, Volana®, Trocellen®, Minicel®, and the like.

Sandwiches of gel-material (i.e. gel-material-gel or material-gel-material, etc.) are useful as dental floss, shock absorbers, acoustical isolators, vibration dampers, vibration isolators, and wrappers. For example the vibration isolators can be use under research microscopes, office equipment, tables, and the like to remove background vibrations. The tear resistance nature of the invention gels are superior in performance to triblock copolymer gels which are much less resistance to crack propagation caused by long term continue dynamic loadings.

Adhesion to substrates is most desirable when it is necessary to apply the adherent invention gels to substrates in the absence of heat or on to a low temperature melting point substrate for later peel off after use, such as for sound damping of a adherent invention gel composite applied to a first surface and later removed for use on a second surface. The low melting substrate materials which can not be exposed to the high heat of the molten adherent invention gels, such as low melting metals, low melting plastics (polyethylene, PVC, PVE, PVA, and the like) can only be formed by applying the adherent invention gels to the temperature sensitive substrates. Other low melting plastics include: polyolefins such as polyethylene, polyethylene copolymers, ethylene alpha-olefin resin, ultra low density ethylene-octene-1 copolymers, copolymers of ethylene and hexene, polypropylene, and etc.

The use of selected plasticizers as described above can promote adhesion of the invention gels and invention gel articles to selected substrates of the invention to form composite gel articles.

The invention gels, gel composites, gel composite blends can be made with or without one or more additional polymers and selected material additives selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylene including polybutene, elastomeric diblock copolymers of poly(styrene-butadiene)n, poly(styrene-isoprene)n, poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene)n, or poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene)n, poly(styrene-butadiene)n, poly(styrene-isoprene)n, poly(styrene-ethylenepropylene)n, or poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene)n, poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene); others include additive selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon resins, polyisobutylene including polybutene, additional block copolymers of poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-butadiene)n, poly(styrene-isoprene)n, poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene)n, poly(ethylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene)n, butadiene rubber, poly(ethylene/propylene), and poly(ethylene/butylene); an additive selected from the group consisting of poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), polystyrene, polybutylene, poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(ethylene-butylene), polypropylene, polyethylene, diblock copolymers of poly(styrene-butadiene)n, poly(styrene-isoprene)n, poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene)n, poly(styrene ethylene-butylene)n, ethylene-styrene interpolymers (ESI), and the like.

The gels have many uses as described in my other applications and patents (incorporated by reference above) which uses include fishing bait, antagonist muscle toning suit, bone promoting suit, bone loss prevention suit, exercise suit, exercise swim suit, de-icing component for snow boards and ski boards, anti fouling coating for ocean vessels, zero gravity suit, toys as disclosed in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,624,294, 5,938,499 and 6,033,283, flying toys as disclosed in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,324,222, 5,868,597, and 5,655,947, 6,050,871, exercise band, and the like. Which patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference.

The invention gels is excellent for cast molding and the molded products have various excellent characteristics which cannot be anticipated form the properties of the raw components. Other conventional methods of forming the gel compositions and small or large articles can be utilized, including cast molding, extruding, extrusion molding, fiber forming film forming and spin molding.

The high viscosity SEEPS type block copolymers with -E- midblock can achieve improvements in one or more physical properties including improved damage tolerance, improved crack propagation resistance, improved tear resistance, improved resistance to fatigue of the bulk gel and resistance to catastrophic fatigue failure of gel composites, such as between the surfaces of the gel and substrate or at the interfaces of the interlocking material(s) and gel, which improvements are not found in amorphous gels at corresponding gel rigidities.

As an example, when fabric interlocked or saturated with amorphous S-EB-S gels (gel composites) are used as gel liners for lower limb or above the knee prosthesis to reduce pain over pressure areas and give relief to the amputee, the commonly used amorphous gels forming the liners can tear or rip apart during marathon race walk after 50-70 miles. In extended use, the amorphous gels can rip on the bottom of the liner in normal race walk training of 40-60 miles over a six weeks period. In such demanding applications, the invention gels are especially advantageous and is found to have greater tear resistance and resistance to fatigue resulting from a large number of deformation cycles than amorphous gels. The invention gels are also useful for forming various orthotics and prosthetic articles such as for lower extremity prosthesis of the L5664 (lower extremity socket insert, above knee), L5665 (socket insert, multi-durometer, below knee), L5666 (below knee, cuff suspension interface), L5667 (below knee, above knee, socket insert, suction suspension with locking mechanism) type devices as described by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) codes. The invention gels are useful for making AOPA code devices for upper extremity prosthetics. The devices can be cast molded or injection molded in combination with or without fiber or fabric backing or fiber or fabric reinforcement. When such liners are made without fabric backing, various invention gels can be used to form gel-gel and gel-gel-gel composites and the like with varying gel rigidities for the different gel layer(s).

Health care devices such as face masks for treatment of sleep disorder require non tacky invention gel. The gel forming a gel overlap portion on the face cup at its edge conforming to the face and serve to provide comfort and maintain partial air or oxygen pressure when worn on the face during sleep. Although tacky gels can be made from the invention gel, tacky gels because of its tactile feel are undesirable for such applications as face masks and other prolong skin contact uses.

The invention gel can be formed into gel strands, gel bands, gel tapes, gel sheets, and other articles of manufacture in combination with or without other substrates or materials such as natural or synthetic fibers, multifibers, fabrics, films and the like. Moreover, because of their improved tear resistance and resistance to fatigue, the invention gels exhibit versatility as balloons for medical uses, such as balloon for valvuloplasty of the mitral valve, gastrointestinal balloon dilator, esophageal balloon dilator, dilating balloon catheter use in coronary angiogram and the like. Since the invention gels are more tear resistant, they are especially useful for making condoms, toy balloons, and surgical and examination gloves. As toy balloons, the invention gels are safer because it will not rupture or explode when punctured as would latex balloons which often times cause injures or death to children by choking from pieces of latex rubber. The invention gels are advantageously useful for making gloves, thin gloves for surgery and examination and thicker gloves for vibration damping which prevents damage to blood capillaries in the fingers and hand caused by handling strong shock and vibrating equipment. Various other gel articles can be made from the advantageously tear resistant invention gels and invention gel composites of the inventions include gel suction sockets, and suspension belts.

The invention gels are also useful for forming orthotics and prosthetic articles such as for lower extremity prosthesis described below. Porous, webbing or matting that are skin breathe-able comprising the invention gel strands can be formed into a webs or matting by cold forming sandwiched gel strand-composites using alkyl cyanoacrylates such as ethyl, butyl, methyl, propyl cyanoacrylates and the like. The alkyl cyanoacrylates (AC) will interlock with the soft gelatinous elastomer composition of the invention, thereby resulting in gel-(AC)-gel composite webbing or matting articles. Alkyl cyanoacrylates are useful for interlocking gel of the invention with other substrates such as pottery, porcelain, wood, metal, plastics, such as acrylics, ABS, EPDM, nylon Fiberglass, phenoics, plexiglass, polycarbonate, polyesters, polystyrene, PVC, urethanes and the like. Other cyanoacrylates such as cyanoacrylate ester are inhibited and do not interlock with the invention gels.

In applications where extreme tear resistance, high fatigue resistance, low rigidity, high elongation, good compression set and excellent tensile strength are important, the invention gels would be advantageous. The invention gels can be formed into any desired shaped, size and thickness suitable as a cushion.

The invention gels composition is highly tear resistant, fatigue resistance, and may be USC not only as a solid shaped gel cushion articles for the human body, but also gel cushions with internal voids or internal open volume shaped cavities (FIGS. 5 a-5 r). Such volume cavities can be designed to be collapsible, directional collapsible, and in configurations, which can form a nests of collapsing volumes one on top of the next downward (FIGS. 5 a-5 f). The cavities may be deeply patterned shapes of unlimited configurations, cubes, pyramids (FIGS. 5 a-5 f), cones, spheres (FIGS. 5 o, 5 o-5 r), polygons, volumes of any geometric solid open volume or void shapes. Examples of such volume shapes are shown in FIGS. 5 a-5 r, which are useful for cushions and cushioning articles of any desirable external configurations conforming to the body under pressure loading uses. These cushioning articles may be made by inserting positive solid forms placed within the cavity of a mold for forming the molten gel into desired shape gel body or gel articles. Because the invention gel composition's properties, the positive forms used in forming the internal volume may be of various patterned shapes and made of a material that do not melt or deform at the molding temperatures. The patterned shaped forms displacing the gel can be readily removed by extracting the forms from the gel molded body. Typically, the extraction of the positive forms for the internal voids or cavities inside the gel body may be accomplished by pulling, twisting, squirming, and slowly removing it through the openings as provided in the direction of least (shapewise pull-out) resistance. The internal cavity forming shapes may have extended parts at both ends to allow form holding the shapes in place by the side-walls of the mold. It is best to use molds with moveable walls with bottom, sides, and top to facilitate the placement of the forms within the walls of the mold. Another method of holding and attaching the forms to the walls of the mold is by having large openings in the walls of the mold to allow for insertion of the forms and after insertion closing the large openings with a screw-on endeaps. The molds can accommodate casting of the gel, or by extrusion of the gel into the mold using one or more high volume flow extruders. Spruce openings, slots, or ports may be utilized to achieve a well molded article without defects. After the molten gel has cooled, the top and side-walls may be removed to expose the openings to the forms and their removal. The preferred method of removing the forms without damage to the molded gel articles is to remove the forms located at the outer perimeters first and work inward to the middle of the mold. Otherwise, the forms adjacent to the near middle may interfere with the removal of the adjacent forms. The positive forms for firming the gel body shown in FIGS. 5 a-5 f are extracted through the opening at the pointed or arrow volume direction, likewise for 5 m and 5 n. The positive forms for making gel bodies of FIGS. 5 g-5 l and 5 o-5 r are more readily removable. The volume voids or cavities are in communication with the outside of the gel body through one or more openings, as well as, may also have communication with neighboring volume cavities to facilitate the displacement of static air within the gel body when a pressure load is applied to the gel cushion article. The communication means are other smaller volumes crossing, cris-crossing and connecting the larger collapsible volume cavities within the gel body. It is not necessary that the collapsible volume cavity nest on top of each other as each volume collapse downward for maximum control of directionality as example FIGS. 5 g-5 m, which are of equal volumes. For the collapsible cavities to achieve a degree of directionality when pressure is applied, they need only to be configured with substantially non-perpendicular internal surfaces or faces with dimensions, which resist instability. That is to mean, as the pressure is applied, the internal surfaces of the cavities should readily cave in upon itself. Therefore, a cube shaped collapsible cavity can be useful to achieve collapsibility. When the cube cavity is extended into a long rectangular cavity of a dimension having the propensity for bending of the walls, this mode causes instability, which is unpredictable. It is difficult to control the direction such a structure will yield to pressure and much less desirable. All sides being equal in gel thickness and mass, the elongated volume void lacks the ability for directional control.

For purpose of control affecting the directional nature of collapse, the collapsible cavities should be in communication with other adjacent collapsible cavity or with a communication volume connected to one or more openings to the external gel body so that static air within the collapsible cavities may exit from the internal cavities of the gel body to the outside.

The positive forms may be coated with silicone fluid to help in the form extraction process. Normally, the gel body is provided with a sufficient sized opening by designing the shapes of the positive forms to be easily removed after the gel article is molded. No tearing or breaking of the gel is expected even when the opening in the molded gel body is stretched (elongated) 100, 200, 300 to 500 percent and greater.

The gel articles shown in FIGS. 5 a-5 q are unique in the way they function. They are designed to be controllably and directionally collapsible when a unit amount of pressure load is applied to the gel article. The gel acts like an incompressible fluid similar to water. When a pressure is applied to the gel body, it deforms. An amount of gel mass is displaced in the opposite direction of the applied pressure or force. Wherever the load of the body is concentrated on the gel is highest; the gel pushes back at that point with equal force and any greater displacement of the gel requires even more force.

The internal gel material or the bulk gel body also acts like a fluid or viscous fluid and internally slippery. The greater the force applied at a point or locally in a small area may cause a high degree of instability. The greater the applied force the greater the instability will result. It is difficult to stand and maintain body balance if a person even of average weight stands on a gel. In such a case, the gel must be as thin as possible and confined between appropriate substrates. Therefore, any amount or degree of uncontrollable instability in a cushion gel article is highly undesirable. Should a cushion be designed to use structural instability, such will add to the already unstable nature of the gel.

Theory no withstanding, the invention gel cushion articles are capable of controllably collapsing in a preferred design direction. For a cushion that will accommodate a human body, the preferred direction for controllable collapse is downward. The collapse or volume displacement can be controlled incrementally as the applied pressure or force is increased. For each unit increase in pressure, the cushion will collapse a selected amount. The directional nature of the volume collapses is achieved by stacking each collapsed volume upon the volume below it, much like stacking of cones while reducing its volume like an accordion, but with directional control.

Consequently, a more controllable gel cushion will accommodate all possible applied force loads (directional force vectors or force applied in different directions) without adding additional instability (to the inherent unstable nature of the gel's response to applied force) of the cushion article. A solid gel shaped cushion used for holding or cradling the body (applied force load) will distribute the force applied uniformly as the gel is deformed by pressure over a larger surface area. This will provide comfort, but not pressure relief, because the gel is also pushing back at every point of the surface of the body in contact with the gel material. Although the collapsible cavities of the Figures are in a right side up array position, other arrays configurations can also be utilized. Many other distribution arrays are useful, which include radial arrays, sun burst arrays, slanted arrays, anti-symmetric arrays, off-centered arrays, symmetric arrays, random arrays, customized load profile arrays, and the like. As an example, of a customized load profile arrays are a cushion for the human head. The head is approximately seven pounds and in the shape of an elongated sphere. A pillow may be designed using the six cavities with six stacks of triangular volume cavities as shown in FIG. 5 e, which when a force is applied will directionally truncate downwards to receive the head. A customized pillow for cradling the head would modify FIG. 5 e by having less number of stacks of collapsing cavities to the left and right of the center two stacks. This will provide gel support for the neck region and upper head region that do not require greater displacement. The various collapsible gel cavity arrays of two or more cavities may also be use for shipping fragile goods, shock absorption, sound attenuation of the gel cavities, protective gear for the head and body parts where impact is a potential. A gel body with (one side closed) array of gel cavities may also be use as an elastic pump for fluids, such as gases and liquids, especially sensitive or highly corrosive fluids or gases including the handling of plasma and blood. Of great interests is the use of these cavities to decrease high velocity air and liquids to decrease their turbulence due to the energy absorption nature of the gel. The gel of the invention can be foamed by incorporating a useful amount of gas bubbles.

The shaped composition articles of the invention can be additionally surrounded with film, fabric, foam, or any other desired material or combinations thereof. The original shape can be deformed into another shape (to contact a regular or irregular surface) by pressure and upon removal of the applied pressure; the composition in the deformed shape will recover back to its original shape. A cushion can be made by forming the composition into a selected shape matching the contours of the specific body part or a body region. Moreover, the composition can be cast onto such materials, provided such materials substantially maintain their integrity (shape, appearance, texture, etc.) during the casting process. The same applies for brace cushions for the hand, wrist, finger, forearm, knee, leg, etc.

As taught in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,909,220, microspheres suitable for use include expanded or unexpanded DE (091-80) phenolic microspheres from Expandcel, Inc. U.S. Especially DE 091-80 can be compounded into a masterbatch with polyvinylaciate, polyvinylethylaciate, polyethylevinylaciate, polymethylaciate, and the like in high concentrations to form strands, pellets, and shapes of any kind which can be configured into regular or irregular assemblies such as a network, web, lattices and molded with high temperature molten gel thereby expanding the network, web, lattices, and assemblies of compounded shapes of masterbatch of expanded so as to expand in place the preselected and pre-assembled shaped of expandable foam. In this way, in place foam of any shape and kind are formed in place within the invention gel or on the surface of the invention gel and the like. Articles made from such gel and foam are excellent for use as cushions and cushioning shapes for parts of the body.

Other uses include: shaped articles as toys, optical uses (e.g. cladding for cushioning optical fibers from bending stresses) and various optical devices, as lint removers, dental floss, as tips for swabs, as soft elastic fishing baits, as a high vacuum seal (against atmosphere pressure) which contains a useful amount of a mineral oil-based magnetic fluid particles, in the form of (casted, extruded, or spun formed) threads, strips, yarns, strands, tapes which can be weave into cloths, fine or coarse fabrics. Still other uses include: games; novelty, or souvenir items; elastomeric lenses, light conducing articles, optical fiber connectors; athletic and sports equipment and articles; medical equipment and articles including derma use and for the examination of or use in normal or natural body orifices, health care articles; artist materials and models, special effects; articles designed for individual personal care, including occupational therapy, psychiatric, orthopedic, pediatric, prosthetic, orthodontic and dental care; apparel or other items for wear by and on individuals including insulating gels of the cold weather wear such as boots, face mask, gloves, full body wear, and the like have as an essential, direct contact with the skin of the body capable of substantially preventing, controlling or selectively facilitating the production of moisture from selected parts of the skin of the body such as the forehead, neck, foot, underarm, etc; cushions, bedding, pillows, paddings and bandages for comfort or to prevent personal injury to persons or animals; house wares and luggage; vehicle impact deployable air bag cushions; medical derma use and for the medical examination through surgical orifices of the human body, health care articles, artist materials and models, special effects, articles designed for individual personal care, including occupational therapy, psychiatric, orthopedic, pediatric, prosthetic, orthodontic and dental care, apparel or other items for wear by and on individuals including insulating invention gels of the cold weather wear such as boots, face mask, gloves, full body wear in direct contact with the skin of the body capable of substantially preventing, controlling or selectively facilitating the production of moisture from selected parts of the skin of the body such as the forehead, neck, foot, underarm, etc; cushions, bedding, pillows, paddings and bandages for comfort or to prevent personal injury to persons or animals, as articles useful in telecommunication, electrical utility, industrial and food processing, in low frequency vibration applications, such as viscoelastic layers in constrained-layer damping of mechanical structures and goods, as viscoelastic layers used in laminates for isolation of acoustical and mechanical noise, as anti-vibration elastic support for transporting shock sensitive loads, as vibration isolators for an optical table, as viscoelastic layers used in wrappings, enclosures and linings to control sound, as compositions for use in shock and dielectric encapsulation of optical, electrical, and electronic components, as molded shape articles for use in medical and sport health care, such use include therapeutic hand exercising grips, dental floss, crutch cushions, cervical pillows, bed wedge pillows, leg rest, neck cushion, mattress, bed pads, elbow padding, dermal pads, wheelchair cushions, helmet liner, cold and hot packs, exercise weight belts, traction pads and belts, cushions for splints, slings, and braces (for the hand, wrist, finger, forearm, knee, leg, clavicle, shoulder, foot, ankle, neck, back, rib, etc.), and also soles for orthopedic shoes.

Still the invention gels can have many other uses, these include: absorbing gel is a gel capable of absorbing polar liquids from a solid containing same; acetate fiber gel is a gel containing acetate fibers; acrylic gel is a gel containing acrylic fibers; adhesive gel is a gel having adhesiveness to other surfaces; aero gel is a gel formed in an aerodynamic shape capable of flying; aerodynamic gel is a gel article having aerodynamic characteristics; amino acid gel is a gel containing one or more amino acids; amorphous gel is a gel being amorphous; anti-cavitation gel is a gel layer or coating capable of reducing or eliminating bubble formation in a liquid in motion; anti-fouling gel is a gel coating resistant to marine fouling as on the bottom surface of a ship; anti-freezing gels a nonfreezing gel; anti-hydro dynamic drag gel is a gel body or coating which is slippery in water and capable of reducing drag; other gels include: anti-slip gel; Aramid gel containing aramid fibers; Azlon gel containing azlon fibers; barrier gel is a barrier between liquids; solids; and gases made from a gel; bearing gel is a gel bearing capable of supporting a sliding; moving; rotating; and static load; bi-layer composite gel two or more layers of gels; bio compatible gel is a gel which is biologically compatible for medical use; bource fleece gel construction is a gel composite of gel and bource fleece; burn treatment gel is a gel for treating burns by use of a gel covering; camel hair gel construction gel containing camel hair; carbon fiber gel construction gel containing oriented carbon fibers; carbon gel is a gel containing carbon fibers or particles; cavitation gel is a gel use to prevent cavitation damage of metals; and other solids; ceramic gel is a gel which is loaded with compounded ceramic materials; clumped pile gel construction composite of gel and clumped pile weaving; cold temperature gel is a gel use at below STP in cold climates; composite gel is a composite having a gel as one or more components; compress gel is a gel use as a compress for needle injection or withdrawal at the site of a vain; compression gel is a gel use in compression; conductive gel is a gel which is made heat or electrically conductive; cork gel is a gel compounded with fine cork particles; cotton gel is a gel containing cotton fibers; crunch gel is a gel with thin polyester embedded sheets when squeezed produce a crunching sound; crystal gel is a gel having one or more components which exhibit crystallinity; cushion gel is a gel for cushion use; dampening gel is a energy damping gel for attenuating vibrational; mechanical motion; and sound; deodorant elimination gel is a gel containing deodorants; dielectric gel is a gel having dielectric electrical properties; dynamic gel is a gel resistant to fatigue under dynamic stress; edible gel is a shaped gel consumed as food; electro gel is a gel containing a conductive amount of an electrical conductor, exercise gel is a gel shaped as a band, rope, loop, or sheet for exercising; expansive gel; extreme cold weather gel is a gel use in low temperature conditions; fatigue resistant gel is a gel resistant to fatigue; fatty acid gel is a gel containing one or more fatty acids; fiber directional gel is a gel containing one or more oriented fibers; fiber gel is a gel containing one or more fibers; fiber laminated gel is a gel laminate of fibers; fiber reinforced gel is a gel containing fibers which resists deformation in one or more directions; fire retardant gel is a gel containing one or more fire retardant; firm gel is a gel having a rigidity greater than 500 gram Bloom; fishing bait gel is a gel use for making fishing bait articles; fleece gel construction is a gel containing fleece; flesh-like gel is a gel having rigidity similar to human flesh; floss gel is a gel use for flossing; food gel is a gel containing: fats, proteins, sugar, starch, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and the like; other invention gels include: friction reducing gel, gel composites, glass gel, goat hair gel construction, gravity gel, gripping gel, hand grip gel, hazard spill gel, heavy than water gel, high temperature gel, high temperature gel composites, high velocity hydro gel, hydro projectile gel, hydrodynamic gel, hydrophobic gel, ice melting gel, ice-resistant gel, insulating gel, kevlar gel construction, layered gel, lead gel, light barrier gel, light conductive gel, light scattering gel, light defusing gel, light refracting gel, lighter than water gel, liner gel, lint removing gel, lipid gel, liquidly gel, low drag gel, low temperature gel composites, magnetic gel, medical gel, membrane gel, memory gel, metallic gel, micro fiber gel, mohair gel construction, multi layer gel, muscle gel, non-pill fleece gel construction, non-tacky gel, nozzle gel, nylon gel, optical gel, orientated fiber direction gel, oriented gel, pill-resistant gel construction, polar fleece gel construction, polyester gel, polytetrafluoroethylene gel construction, projectile protection gel, protective coating gel, protective gel, protein gel, puffy gel, rabbit hair construction, ramie gel, random fiber gel, rayon gel, reducing gel, reflective gel, refractive gel, release gel, resonating gel, robotic gel, scar treatment gel, set resistant gel, shear resistant gel, sherpa fleece gel construction, shock absorbing gel, silk gel, skin like gel, skin protective gel, slippery gel, soft gel, sound barrier gel, spandex gel construction, sponge gel, sports gel, spun fleece gel construction, stretch gel, sun block gel, tacky gel, tear resistant gel, teflon gel, time delay gel, tooth paste floss gel, tracking gel, transfer gel, tri-layer composite gel, vibration dampening gel, water gel, water gel projectile, water jet control gel, wool gel, and wrinkle gel.

The gel articles molded from the instant compositions have various additional important advantages in that they do not crack, creep, tear, crack, or rupture in flexural, tension, compression, or other deforming conditions of normal use; but rather the molded articles made from the instant composition possess the intrinsic properties of elastic memory enabling the articles to recover and retain its original molded shape after many extreme deformation cycles.

The instant compositions can be formed in any shape; the original shape can be deformed into another shape (to contact a regular or irregular surface) by pressure and upon removal of the applied pressure, the composition in the deformed shape will recover back to its original shape.

The invention gels can be made into useful gel articles having no need for a protective covering, but a protective covering may be use as required. Such interlocking with many different materials produce gel composites having many additional uses. The high tear resistant soft invention gels made from SEEPS and CD block copolymer gels are advantageously suitable for a safer impact deployable air bag cushions as disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,275 and my application U.S. Ser. No. 10/675,509.

The invention gels are especially suitable and have uses where improvements to resistance to dynamic stretching, shearing and tearing forces are particularly needed such as those when forces acting during fishing as described above and uses as dental flossing disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,555, brushing Ser. No. 10/613,567, fishing baits applications Ser. Nos. 10/199,361, 10/199,362, 10/199,363 and 10/199,364; health care: Ser. No. 10/420,489, and tear resistant articles: Ser. No. 10/746,196. Other uses include those disclosed in my applications for air bag, liner, diving suit, and muscle Ser. Nos. 10/675,509, 10/420,492, 10/404,88, and 10/273,828 respectively.

In the case of dental flossing, freeze dried dental paste can also be incorporated into the gel and formed into dental floss by passing coating the dental floss surface with flavors or other agents. Not only is the dental floss a floss, it is an effective tooth brush in between the tooth gap between making it a floss-brush with activated tooth past build in. The gel compounded with toothpaste can contain any anticavity agents including sodium fluoride, any anti gingivitis agents, any whitening agents, and any plaque fighting agents. Freeze dry or powders containing hydrated silica, sorbitol, PVM/MA copolymer, sodium lauryl sulfate, flavor, sodium hydroxide, triclosan, monoammonium phosphate, calcium sulfate, ammonium chloride, magnesium chloride, methylparaben, propylparaben, coloring, and the like can be compounding into the gel composition forming a floss-brush gel composition.

Gel floss formed from the invention gels has many advantages over conventional dental floss such as regular and extra fine waxed and unwaxed nylon floss, spongy nylon fiber floss, and waxed and unwaxed expanded and unexpended teflon floss. Such conventional floss are not recommended for use by children, since a slip or sudden snap in forcing the floss between the teeth may cause injury to the gums which often times results in bleeding. For sensitive gums and inflamed gums which has become red and puffy, it is difficult to floss at, near, and below the gun-line. The soft gel floss with softness substantially matching the softness of the gums are of great advantage for use by children and for flossing teeth surrounded by sensitive and tender gums.

The most surprising, unexpected, versatile use of the composition is dental flossing. Because a long strand of gel floss is difficult to manage, which are user friendly and can be operated using two opposing fingers or thumbs. The dental floss can be almost any shape so long as it is suitable for dental flossing. A thick shaped piece of the composition can be stretched into a thin shape and used for flossing. A thinner shaped piece would require less stretching, etc. For purposes of dental flossing, while flossing between two closely adjacent teeth, especially between two adjacent teeth with substantial contact points and more especially between two adjacent teeth with substantial amalgam alloy metal contact points showing no gap between the teeth, it is critical that the gel resist tearing, shearing, and crazing while being stretched to a high degree in such situations. For example, dental gel floss can take the form of a disk where the segments of the circumference of the disk is stretched for flossing between the teeth. Other shaped articles suitable for flossing include threads, strips, yarns, tapes, etc., mentioned above.

In order for invention gels to be useful as a dental floss, it must overcome the difficult barriers of high shearing and high tearing under extreme elongation and tension loads. The difficulties that the invention gels must overcome during flossing can be viewed as follows: during the action of flossing, the gel is stretched from no less than about 200% to about 1,100% or higher, the gel floss is deformed as it is pulled down with tearing action between the contacting surfaces of the teeth, then, the wedge of gel floss is sheared between the inner contacting surfaces of the teeth, and finally, the elongated wedged of gel floss is pulled upwards and out between the surfaces of the teeth. The forces encountered in the act of flossing are: tension, shearing, tearing under extreme tension. This invention advances the flossing art by providing strong, soft, and extreme tear resistant invention gels made from multiblock copolymers which invention gels are substantially as soft as the gums surrounding the teeth.

The invention gels can also be formed directly into articles or remelted in any suitable hot melt applicator and extruded into shaped articles and films or spun into threads, strips, bands, yarns, or other shapes using a tubing header, multi-strand header, wire coating header, and the like. With respect to various shapes and yarn, its size are conventionally measured in denier (grams/9000 meter), tex (grams/1000 meter), and gage ( 1/2.54 cm). Gage, tex, denier can be converted as follows: tex=denier/9=specific gravity (2135/gage), for rectangular cross section, tex=specific gravity*(5806×103)(th)(w)/9, where th is the thickness and w the width of the strip, both in centimeters. General descriptions of (1) block copolymers, (2) elastomeric fibers and conventional (3) gels are found in volume 2, starting at pp. 324-415, volume 6, pp 733-755, and volume 7, pp. 515 of ENCYCLOPEDIA OF POLYMER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, 1987 which volumes are incorporated herein by reference.

(57) Ford, Jr., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,895 teaches a multi-component full-body stress transfer suit for eliminating the need for exercise. The suit can be difficult to use in practice on Earth and even more so for use in outer space in a zero gravity environment. This is because the Ford suit is made up of a mesh-like structure system of multiple components such as pads, zippers, cuffs, straps, gloves, flexures, briefs, belts, loops, anchors, rubber strands, and the like. Many of the components, such as the pads and flexures are made of non-stretch materials, such as cotton. Every component has to be anchored to another component for the multi-component rubber strand mesh-like structure system to function and not without some difficulty. Moreover, the rubber strands, cuffs, straps, and belts all can cause chafing of the skin. The smaller the components, the greater the potential for greater chaffing. In order to prevent chaffing the skin must be protected from the components. Not only must the skin be protected, the space ship's inner working parts, equipment and gear must also be protected from the unsafe entanglement prone components of the suit. More difficult is the matter of untangling the suit from itself when moving it or unpacking it from storage and there is entanglement dangers when donning it on the body or while nudging the body parts into it. A rather difficult to work with mechanical system of interlaced rubber strands or rubber bands mechanically connected, secured to non-stretchable pads, zippers, cuffs, straps, gloves, flexures, briefs, belts, loops, and anchors. This is why, the Ford suit is for maintaining a static load on the body which suit is designed for the purpose (in Ford's words) of “eliminating the need for exercise.” The cuffs at the wrists and ankles would make a person feel very much like a prisoner and the cage of interlaced rubber strands would make a person feel much like being confinement in a straight jacket or prison.

(58) In general, Robert Douglas Bruce III in his paper “The Problem of Bone Loss During Space Flight and the Need For more Effective Treatments To Make A Mission to Mars Safer”, of May 28, 2002 available on the internet, writes: scientist [are] particularly worried . . . [of] the rapid loss of bone density experienced by astronauts as a result of the zero gravity conditions in space. Mechanical stimulation in the form of physical exercise . . . has little affect on the rate of bone loss . . . extended interplanetary space travel remains too unsafe. The problem of bone loss during space flight remains, in many ways, a mystery . . . . Why exactly this happens still has researches baffled. Is the mechanical signal of gravity somehow converted to a chemical signal (i.e. a hormone) that then regulates bone growth? . . . to what extent would the rapid rates of degradation continue? . . . .

The loss of bone in space does not affect the entire body (some bones have actually been shown to gain bone during space flight). The bones subject to degradation experience the most pressure from the downward pull of gravity and are known as the “load-bearing” bones of the body. These include ankles, tibia, femoral neck and greater trochanter, the pelvis, and the lower lumbar vertebrate (Buckey p. 28). Though they are unsure exactly why, researchers know that it is the pressure exerted on these bones by gravity in everyday activity that maintains bone density. Exercise subjecting these bones to strong stresses (ex. weight lifting and running) has been shown to actually increase bone density in athletes [on Earth]. In the zero-gravity conditions of space flight, however, these bones experience rapid depletion and calcium loss.

Another problem . . . is that zero g conditions cause a great decrease in blood pressure to the legs. The presence of gravity on Earth creates a pressure gradient in the body by pulling blood down into the legs. In zero g conditions, this pressure gradient no longer exists causing blood to leave the legs and pool more in the torso and upper body regions. The decreased blood in the legs makes it extremely difficult to heal/build up bones in space if they are getting a much smaller blood supply than they would be on Earth.

Bone begins to deteriorate shortly after astronauts enter space . . . bone loss occurs at rates of up to one and two percent per month (6-24% per year) in load bearing bones. This is as many as 6 times greater than the rate of bone loss of women with severe osteoporosis . . . . Some studies has shown that over extended periods of time, this rate of degradation could lead to an overall loss of 40-60% of bone mass in load-bearing bones (Miller p. 1) . . . bone degradation puts astronauts at risk of suffering fractures . . . far from Earth . . . an accident could mean death for an injured astronaut.

One possible way to combat the lack of gravity . . . would be to spin the spacecraft . . . [to] create an artificial gravity environment . . . would require certain structural changes . . . to prevent equipment damage. Also, though the spin gives some weight to the astronauts it only provides a fraction of the pull of the Earth's gravity . . . but it would hardly be enough . . . exercises do reduce the rate of bone loss to a degree, mechanical devices created to simulate this heavy loading [on the heel, leg, and thigh bones] have met with limited success.

A number of different mechanical devices have been developed to simulate the Earth's gravity during space flight. These generally consist of a variety of straps, cords, and elastic devices to provide load on the legs, hips, and lower back of astronauts . . . . Though these exercise machines have had some effect in battling muscle loss caused during space flight success has been hindered for a number of reasons. One problem is the fact that the machines often cannot supply sufficient load to the astronauts . . . and the “Russian treadmill” . . . is so uncomfortable . . .

In studies done on Earth, placing large strains on the skeletal system can, in some cases, have a negative effect on the skeletal system. While exercise generally increases bone density, too much exercise and load bearing can cause a decrease in bone density. Young women who exercise too heavily sometimes experience a decrease in spinal density. Similarly, a study in which a static load was applied to the ulnae of rats for ten minutes per day showed growth and decreased density (Eisman p. 2) . . .

Most likely what will evolve is a combination of drug therapy, physical exercise, and vibration treatment . . . to greatly reduce the danger to the astronauts. Until an effective treatment . . . can be found however, the risk of injury or death is too great to astronauts to merit sending them into space for long periods of time.”

These and many others problems are solved by the present invention. First, our everyday observation teaches us that a large drop of water when dropped from a given height above the surface of the Earth will fall straight down and most likely will deform and may even break up into smaller droplets along its path. Our intuition tells us that an identical large drop of water experiencing linear acceleration in outer space might also deform and break up along its path of acceleration. When the force of acceleration is equal to the force of gravity on Earth, then that large drop of water will break up the same way as its identical twin water drop did falling to Earth. The identical twin large drops of water, if they have the intelligence to determine by measurements each of its own force experience, one of gravity on Earth and the other of acceleration in outer space. If they have the opportunity to compare their measurements, they will not be able to discern any difference, provided, of course, we make sure the pressure around that large drop of water in outer space is surrounded by the same one atmosphere of pressure as the water drop is accustom to here on Earth.

The equivalence of the gravitation force, say, on Earth of one G to an equal accelerating force of one G in outer space was first recognized by Albert Einstein which he called the Equivalence Principle and forms the second postulate of his theory, published in 1916. We apply it here.

If a living bone cell structure or living muscle tissue can be slightly deformed or stressed under a force equivalent to one G (gravitational force of the Earth), by using, say, electromagnetic or a dipo-dipo forces, or an elastic force locally, the living bone cell or living muscle tissue would not know the nature of that force, be it gravitational or elastic, electromagnetic, or dipo-dipo forces. So long as it is done carefully. By the use of the elastic forces which are molecular forces and which are inherently electromagnetic forces of the outer electrons of the atoms making up the molecules, it is possible to create an environment that can simulate greater and greater amounts of equivalent G forces up to the breaking, tearing, or yielding forces required to destroy a elastomeric material. The elastic forces can be viewed as an antagonist that contracts with and limits the action of an agonist with which it is paired. The elastic force can be use to antagonize, can be use antagonistically to act on living cells, living bone cells, tissue, and bone, and can be use to cause modification to living systems similar to the action of gravity.

Therefore, theory notwithstanding, this invention set forth conjectures applicable to the local domain of living bones and muscle tissue or cells as well as to their aggregate systems of living bones connected to living, functional muscles tissue within the human body and a body in general. First, an elastic force applied to a system locally is equivalent to a gravitational force of the same magnitude applied to the same system locally. A corollary of this is that Gravity and elastic forces when applied locally to a system can be treated as indistinguishable. Second, an electromagnetic force applied to a system locally is equivalent to a gravitational force of the same magnitude applied to the same system locally. A corollary to this is that Gravity and electromagnetic forces when applied locally to a system can be treated as indistinguishable.

For example, two conductors having the same direction of high direct current electron flow when brought in close proximity will attract each other. Using high current flow to produce an attraction force equal to the gravitational force would not be practical, but the electron-electron force holding the molecule of an elastomeric material together can provide such an equivalent gravitational force. The present invention is a dynamic elastomeric body-exercising-suit which has essentially no non-stretch parts, no skin abrasion parts, and no interlacing parts that can catch and tangle with equipment. The dynamic elastomeric body-exercising-suit can be made without pads, without the need for zippers, without cuffs, without straps, without flexures, without briefs, belts, without loops, without anchors, and without the need for rubber strands.

It is well known that rubber when stretched gives off heat and cools when contracted. A rubber band upon extension goes from a lower to a higher level of order and alignment of the rubber molecules. Its entropy decreases when work is applied to stretch it and heat is given off. It increases in entropy when released reverting back into a state of increased entropy. A rubber strand or band pressed next to the skin when stretched can be very uncomfortable due to accompany stretching of the underlying skin by a high friction rubber surface. When the rubber strand is released next to the skin, it is even more uncomfortable due to surface bunching of the underlying skin. This is an inherent problem for the use of the Ford rubber strand suit and unacceptable to the user. One aspect of the invention utilizes one or more tear resistant elastomers and tear resistant elastomer gels for forming the body exercising-suits, swim exercising suits. The tear resistant body-exercising suits can have a selected thickness covering different areas of the body.

Friction, drag and resistance are due to motion between surfaces, no matter how smooth. Even abrasive surfaces can become slippery when wet. In general most surfaces are slippery when wet, for example, tire traction is drastically reduce on a rain soak highway as opposed to when the road is dry and the maximum coefficient of friction is realized (at the point, line, or surfaces which is normal to the weight or force) where the tire meets the road.

In the case of hydroplaning, the tire and road is separated by a layer of water where the tire and road surface is no longer in contact. A separating layer of water also occurs between the bottom of a sled when pulled over the surface of new fallen snow or as the sled bottom is dragged over hard padded snow.

The invention gels can be use on the bottoms of snow skis, snow boards, boards used on snow mobiles, dog sleds, and etc. The invention gels can provide improved reduction in friction and improve control and speed than waxes. The invention gels can provide smoother and better control of skies than fluorinated waxes and fluorinated hydrocarbon coatings. The invention gels can reduce or eliminate mechanical wear, reduce abrasion of the ski base surfaces, and reduce the formation of fine hairs of damage ski base materials in the temperature range of from less than 5° F. to 15° F. and higher. The invention gels can improve sliding. The invention gels can be patterned or contoured for climbing, and for gripping the snow without the problem of generating noise or vibrations, because the invention gel acts as a noise and vibration damper as well. The invention gels are excellent in dry, granular, wet snow, and icing conditions. The invention gels can be compounded with salts so as to produce a very thin water layer at the snow-gel, or ice-gel interface.

The invention gels are excellent as a anti fouling layer for ocean vessels hulls, for pipe liner allowing a pig to move freely and in slippery motion. The invention gels are slippery in water and do not promote organic or protein adhesion or built-up by oceanospirillum, barnacle, other crusty fouler, and the like. It dampens noise, vibrations, shock, and is hydrophilic. It prevents or reduces cavitation in water by absorbing energy and is in some degree in motion with the water retarding the production of air bubbles. The invention gels is non-toxic and can reduce drag and friction allowing submerged vessels to move faster in water requiring less energy. The invention gels when incorporated as a outer layer of a submerged vessel is much like the sleek, smooth dolphin skin. The invention gels is much like a maintenance free coating of gelatinous fat able to withstand extreme pressures and temperatures of the ocean depths. Such invention gels would be ideal for use as a thin coating on the USN's Undersea Glider or the OED's Seaglider roaming the seas for maintenance free oceanography work, reconnaissance, communications, sea floor bottom profiling, and navigation aids. One of the main problems with the Seaglider is potential fouling according to Russ light with the Ocean Engineering Department of the Applied Physics laboratory. The Seaglider has no external moving parts and can reach a depths up to 1000 meters, and covering 6000 kilometers on a single charge.

The invention gels are prepared by blending together the components (I, II, or III) including the various additives as desired at about 23° C. to about 100° C. forming a paste like mixture and further heating said mixture uniformly to about 150° C. to about 200° C. until a homogeneous molten blend is obtained. Lower and higher temperatures can also be utilized depending on the viscosity of the oils and amounts of multiblock copolymers and polymer (III) used. These components blend easily in the melt and a heated vessel equipped with a stirrer is all that is required. Small batches can be easily blended in a test tube using a glass stirring rod for mixing. While conventional large vessels with pressure and/or vacuum means can be utilized in forming large batches of the instant compositions in amounts of about 40 lbs or less to 10,000 lbs or more. For example, in a large vessel, inert gases can be employed for removing the composition from a closed vessel at the end of mixing and a partial vacuum can be applied to remove any entrapped bubbles. Stirring rates utilized for large batches can range from about less than 10 rpm to about 40 rpm or higher.

The invention gel can also contain gases as an additive, i.e. the gel can be foamed. Foam is herein defined as tightly or loosely packing aggregation of gas bubbles, separated from each other by thin or thick layers of gel. Many types of foamed invention gels (from ultra high density to ultra low density) can be produced as desired by adding gas to the molten gel during processing, and producing gas in the molten gel during processing. Gas can be added by whipping a gas into the molten gel before it cools or introduce a gas into the molten gel and then expand or reduce the size of the gas bubbles by reducing the pressure to reduce the bubbles size or applying high pressure to expand the bubbles size. In this regard, inert gases such as Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen, Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon and Radon are suitable. Air can also be used. Gas can be produced in the molten gel by adding one or more of a “blowing agent” to the Useful blowing agents include dinitroso compounds, such as dinitroso pentamethylene-tetramine, azodicarbonamide, 4,4′oxybis(benzenesulfonyl)hydrazine, 5-phenyltetrazole, p-toluenesulfonyl semicarbazide, sulfonyl hydrazide, such as benzene sulfonylhydrazide. Water can be used as a “blowing agent” to produce varying density of foam invention gels; water used to advantage can be in the form of mist, droplets, steam, and hot or cold water. The density of the foam invention gels can vary from less than 1.00 kilograms per cubic meter to near the solid gel density. Although the materials forming soft solid invention gels may be more shear resistant, the same materials when made into a foam become much less shear resistant.

The gel articles can be formed by blending, injection molding, extruding, spinning, casting and other conventional methods. For example, Shapes having various crossection can be extruded using a HP-2000 Mixing extruder from Dek-tron Scientific Instruments of Plainfield, N.J. 07060, USA.

EXAMPLES

While advantageous components and formulation ranges based on the desired properties of the multiblock copolymer invention gels have been disclosed herein. Persons of skill in the art can extend these ranges using appropriate material according to the principles discussed herein. All such variations and deviations which rely on the teachings through which the present invention has advanced the art are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The invention is further illustrated by means of the following illustrative embodiments, which are given for purpose of illustration only and are not meant to limit the invention to the particular components and amounts disclosed.

Example I

Gels of 100 parts of Kraton G1651, Kuraray Septon 2006 (SEPS), Kuraray Septon 8006 (SEBS), a high viscosity (SEB)n, and a high viscosity (SEP)n triblock copolymers and 1,600, 1,200, 1,000, 800, 600, 500, 450, and 300 parts by weight of Duraprime 200 white oil are melt blended and samples extruded (from a 7.15 mm diameter orifice) into selected lengths of varying diameters for use as dental floss, the bulk gel rigidities is found to be within the range of 2 to 1,800 gram Bloom, the tensile strength is found to decrease with increase orientation, and the optimum tensile strength found for gel samples with the least amount of stress or orientation imparted during cool from the molten state to room temperature.

Example II

Example I is repeated using Kuraray (S-E-EP-S) 4055 and 4077 multiblock copolymers, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the tear resistance of the multiblock copolymers at corresponding rigidities are found to be substantially higher than the tear resistance of the triblock copolymer gels of EXAMPLE I. The tensile strength is found to decrease with increase orientation, and the optimum tensile strength found for gel samples with the least amount of stress or orientation imparted during cool from the molten state to room temperature.

Example III

Example I is repeated using (S-E-EP-S), (S-E-EP-E-S), (S-B-EP-S), (S-E-EB-S), (S-EB-EP-S), (S-E-EP-EB-S), (S-B-EB-S), (S-E-EB-E-S), (S-B-EP-E-S), (S-B-EB-E-S), (S-B-EP-B-S), (S-B-EB-B-S), (S-E-E-EP-S), (S-E-E-EB-S), (S-B-E-EP-S), (S-B-E-EB-S), (S-B-B-EP-S), (S-B-B-EB-S), (S-EB-EB-S), (S-E-B-EP-S), (S-EB-EB-S), (S-EP-EP-S), (S-E-EB-EB-S), (S-E-EP-EP-S), (S-E-EB-EP-S), (S-B-EB-EB-S), (S-B-EP-EP-S), (S-E-EP)n, (S-E-EP-E)n, (S-B-EP)n, (S-E-EB-S)n, (S-EB-EP-)n, (S-E-EP-EB)n, (S-B-EB)n, (S-E-EB-E)n, (S-B-EP-E)n, (S-B-EB-E)n, (S-B-EP-B)n, (S-B-EB-B)n, (S-E-E-EP)n, (S-E-E-EB)n, (S-B-E-EP)n, (S-B-E-EB)n, (S-B-B-EP)n, (S-B-B-EB)n, (S-E-B-EB)n, (S-E-B-EP)n, (S-EB-EB)n, (S-EP-EP)n, (S-E-EB-EB)n, (S-E-EP-EP)n, (S-E-EB-EP)n, (S-B-EB-EB)n, (S-B-EP-EP)n, (S-B-EB-EP)n, (S-B-EP-EB)n, (S-E-EP-E-EP)n, (S-E-EB-E-EB)n multiblock copolymers, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the tear resistance of the multiblock copolymers at corresponding rigidities are found to be substantially higher than the tear resistance of the triblock copolymer gels of EXAMPLE I. The tensile strength is found to decrease with increase orientation, and the optimum tensile strength found for gel samples with the least amount of stress or orientation imparted during cool from the molten state to room temperature.

Example IV

Example II is repeated using plasticizers L-14, L-50, L-100, H-15, H-25, H-35, H-50, H-100, H-300, L-14E, H-300E, Actipol E6, E16, E23, Kraton L-1203, EKP-206, EKP-207, HPVM-2203, Amoco C-60, Piccolyte S10, Duraprime (55, 70, 90, 200, 350, 400), Tufflo (6006, 6016, 6016M, 6026, 6036, 6056, 6206) Bayol, Bernol, American, Blandol, Drakeol, Ervol, Gloria, and Kaydol, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the tear resistance of the multiblock copolymers at corresponding rigidities are found to be substantially higher than the tear resistance of the triblock copolymer gels of EXAMPLE I.

Example V

Example III is repeated using plasticizers L-14, L-50, L-100, H-15, H-25, H-35, H-50, H-100, H-300, L-14E, H-300E, Actipol E6, E16, E23, Kraton L-1203, EKP-206, EKP-207, HPVM-2203, Amoco C-60, Piccolyte S10, Duraprime (55, 70, 90, 200, 350, 400), Tufflo (6006, 6016, 6016M, 6026, 6036, 6056, 6206) Bayol, Bernol, American, Blandol, Drakeol, Ervol, Gloria, and Kaydol, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the tear resistance of the multiblock copolymers at corresponding rigidities are found to be substantially higher than the tear resistance of the triblock copolymer gels of EXAMPLE I.

Example VI

A gel composition of 100 parts of Kuraray's S-E-EP-S 4055 copolymer and 400 parts by weight of Duraprime 200 white oil was made following Example I and extruded and drawn (from a 7.15 mm diameter orifice) into a strand of uniform diameter onto a take-up roll of continuous lengths. The strand diameter was varied by increasing and decreasing the speed of the take-up roll. The continuous strand of varying diameter gel strand was cut to suitable lengths for use and testing as dental floss. Additional gel was also casted in varying thickness and tested. The results of samples tested are shown in Table 3, #4-7; Table 4, # 12-15 and 20, Table 5 #22, 23, 27-29; Table 6 #36-32; Table 7, #40-43, #76 and 77. Sample Nos. 76 and 77 were tested together. Sample 77 exhibited higher tensile strength after 27.75% of plasticizing oil was extracted (with 2.89 parts by weight of oil remaining), its rigidity remained substantially unchanged.

Example VII

A gel composition of 100 parts of Kraton G1651 and 400 parts by weight of Duraprime 200 white oil was made following Example I and extruded and drawn (from a 7.15 mm diameter orifice) into a strand of uniform diameter onto a take-up roll of continuous lengths. The strand diameter was varied by increasing and decreasing the speed of the take-up roll. The continuous strand of varying diameter gel strand was cut to suitable lengths for use and testing as dental floss. Additional gel was also casted in varying thickness and tested. The results of samples tested are shown in Table 3B, #8-11; Table 4, #16-19 and 21; Table 5, #24-26; Table 6, #33-35; and Table 7, #36-39.

Example VIII

Example II was repeated melt blending under inert gas 100 parts by weight of Kuraray (S-E-EP-S) 4077 multiblock copolymer and 400 parts by weight of Duraprime 70 white oil. A first part of the molten gel was allowed to cool to room temperature, the remainder gel was heated under inert gas for an additional three hours at 300-325° F. and a second part of the gel was extruded (from a 7.15 mm diameter orifice) into cold running water, and the third and final remaining gel was allowed to cool to room temperature. The bulk gel rigidities of the first, second and third parts were found to be within the range of 2 to 1,800 gram Bloom. The second and third final parts of the gel appeared to be altered and different from the first gel part. The first part exhibited rapid return when extended, but the second and third final parts exhibited delay elastomeric recovery when released after extension and deformation. All of the samples exhibited 100% recovery after repeated extensions and deformations.

The tensile strengths of invention gels made from higher viscosity copolymers are lower than the tensile strengths of gels made from lower solution viscosity copolymers. This was later found to be due to orientation effects and not considered significant.

The tear resistance of invention gels made from higher viscosity copolymers are higher than the tear resistance of invention gels made from lower solution viscosity copolymers.

Gel strands made from higher viscosity copolymers perform better than gel strands made of lower viscosity copolymers when used in flossing amalgam molars and more than three times better when used in flossing front teeth.

As compared to spongy nylon, regular waxed nylon, and extra fine unwaxed nylon when flossing amalgam molars, the performance of invention gels are on the average substantially better.

Examples below illustrate other modes of practice contemplated.

Example IX

At least 120 pcs of the gel strands of EXAMPLE II containing 600 parts oil is individually weighted and placed in a heated vacuum oven, a partial vacuum is applied and the temperature is regulated between about 80° F. to about 150° F. to extract plasticizer from the gel strands. At various oven and vacuum times, three gel strands are removed from the vacuum oven, allowed to cool to room temperature, weighted to determine the amount of weight loss and tested for tensile and tear strength. As the amount of oil contained in the original gel is reduced from 600 parts by weight to less than 200 parts by weight, the “reduced plasticizer volume” invention gels are weighted and tested. The tear and tensile strengths of the reduced plasticizer volume invention gels are found to be improved over the properties of the original 600 parts by weight referenced gel strands.

The invention gels are especially advantageously useful when subjected to conditions of stretching, shearing, and tearing during flossing. The invention gels useful for flossing are characterized by low rigidities and high solution viscosity of the invention gels made from multiblock copolymers having two or more mid block polymer chains.

Example X

Gels of 100 parts of Kraton G1651, Kraton RP-6917 (amorphous S-EB-S), Septon 8006 (amorphous S-EB-S), Kraton RP-6918, Septon S2006 (amorphous S-EP-S) and a high viscosity radial amorphous midblock segment (SEB)n triblock copolymers and 1,600, 1,200, 1,000, 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 200 white oil (plasticizer having Vis. cSt@ 40° C. of 39.0) are melt blended, test, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 to 1,800 gram Bloom and the tensile strength, notched tear strength, and resistance to fatigue are found to decrease with increase amounts of plasticizers, while tackiness of the gels is found to be greater than 7.6 gram Tack.

Example XI

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 and 1,600, 1,200, 1,000, 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 200 white oil (plasticizer having Vis. cSt@ 40° C. of 39.0) are melt blended, test and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 to 1,800 gram Bloom and the gel tackiness are found to increase with increase amounts of plasticizers and the tack greater than 7.6 gram Tack.

Example XII

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow S series poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymer (250,000 Mw) having a high styrene content sufficient to form gel blends with total styrene content of 37 by weight of copolymers and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example I, while tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example I and II.

Example XIII

Gels of 100 parts of Septon 4045 (crystalline S-E/EP-S having a styrene content of 37.6) and 1,600, 1,200, 1,000, 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime Klearol white oil (plasticizer having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of 7-10) are melt blended, test and probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 to 2,000 gram Bloom and the tackiness is found to be less than about 1 gram Tack.

Example XIV

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of Septon 2104 (Amorphous SEPS having a high styrene content of 65) and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example X and XI.

Example XV

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow M series poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymer (350,000 Mw) having a high styrene content sufficient to form gel blends with total styrene content of 37 by weight of copolymers and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example I, while tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example I and II.

Example XVI

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow E series poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymer (240,000 Mw) having a high styrene content sufficient to form gel blends with total styrene content of 37 by weight of copolymers and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example I, while tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example I and II.

Example XVII

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with polystyrene homopolymers (having Mw of 3,000; 4,000; 5,000; 6,000; 7,000; 8,000; 9,000; 10,000; 11,000; 12,000; 13,000; 14,000; 15,000; 16,000; 17,000; 18,000; 19,000; 20,000; 30,000; 40,000; 50,000; 60,000; 70,000; 80,000; 90,000) in sufficient amounts to form gel blends with total styrene content of 37, 45, 48, 50, and 55 by weight of copolymers and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 2,000 gram Bloom and tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example I and II.

Example XVIII

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow M series poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymer (350,000 Mw) having a high styrene content sufficient to form gel blends with total styrene contents of 40, 45, 48, 50, and 55 by weight of copolymers and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example I, while tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example I and II.

Example XIX

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow S series poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers (with Mw of 140,000, 250,000 and 340,000) having a high styrene content sufficient to form gel blends with total styrene content of 40, 45, 48, 50, and 55 by weight of copolymers and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example I, while tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example I and II.

Example XX

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow E series poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers (with Mw of 250,000; 340,000 and 400,000) having a high styrene content sufficient to form gel blends with total styrene content of 40, 45, 48, 50, and 55 by weight of copolymers and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example I, while tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example I and II.

Example XXI

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow M series poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymer (with Mw of 250,000; 340,000 and 400,000) having a high styrene content sufficient to form gel blends with total styrene content of 40, 45, 48, 50, and 55 by weight of copolymers and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example I, while tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example I and II.

Example XXII

Gels of 100 parts of Dow E series crystalline poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymer (with Mw of 250,000; 340,000 and 400,000) having a high styrene content sufficient to form gel blends with total styrene content of 37, 40, 45, 48, 50, 55, and 60 by weight of copolymers and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example I, while tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example I and II.

Example XXIII

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with polystyrene (of 2,500 Mw, 4,000 Mw, 13,000 Mw, 20,000 Mw, 35,000 Mw, 50,000 Mw, and 90,000 Mw, poly(alpha-methylstyrene) (of 1,300 Mw, 4,000 Mw; poly(4-methylstyrene) (of 72,000 Mw), Endex 155, 160, Kristalex 120, and 140) in sufficient amounts to form gel blends with total styrene content of 37, 45, 48, 50, and 55 by weight of copolymers and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol. Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 2,000 gram Bloom and tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example I and II.

Example XXIV

Examples XIV is repeated and gels of 100 parts of (S-EB45-EP-S), (S-E-EB25-S), (S-EP-E-EP-S), (S-E-EB-S), (S-E-EP-S), (S-E-EP-E-S), (S-E-EP-EB-S), (S-E-EP-E-EP-S), (S-E-EP-E-EB-S), (S-E-EP-E-EP-E-S), (S-E-EP-E-EB-S), (S-E-EP-E-EP-EB-S), and (S-E-EP-E-EP-E-S) block copolymers are each melt blended, tests and probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 to 1,800 gram Bloom and tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example I and II.

Example XXV

Example XIV is repeated and minor amounts of 2, 5, 10 and 15 parts of the following polymers are formulated with each of the triblock copolymers: styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers, low viscosity styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-propylene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-butadiene, styrene-isoprene, polyethyleneoxide, poly(dimethylphenylene oxide), polystyrene, polybutylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, high ethylene content EPDM, amorphous copolymers based on 2,2-bistrifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole/tetrafluoroethylene. The bulk gel rigidities of each of the formulations are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 2,000 gram Bloom and tack is found to decrease with decreasing plasticizer content and in all instances substantially lower than the gels of Example I and II.

Example XXVI

Molten gels of Examples III-XVI are formed into composites with paper, foam, plastic, elastomers, fabric, metal, concrete, wood, glass, ceramics, synthetic resin, synthetic fibers, and refractory materials and the resistance to fatigue of the composite-gels at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of the composite-amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XXVII

Three cm thick sheets of each of the gels of Example XIV and the amorphous gels of Example I are tested by repeatedly displacing the sheets to a depth of 1 cm using a 10 cm diameter smooth (water soaked) wood plunger for 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 25,000, 50,000, and 100,000 cycles. The sheets of gels are found capable of exhibiting greater fatigue resistance than the sheets of amorphous gels at corresponding rigidities.

Example XXVIII

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES16 having 37.5% crystallinity and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 grain to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XXIX

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES24 having 26.6% crystallinity and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XXX

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES27 having 17.4% crystallinity and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XXXI

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES28 having 22.9% crystallinity and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XXXII

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES30 having 19.6% crystallinity and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XXXIII

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES44 having 5.00/crystallinity and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XXXIV

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES72 and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XXXV

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES73 and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XXXVI

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES74 and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XXXVII

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES69 and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XXXVIII

Gels of 100 parts of Septon crystalline (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4055, and 4077 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES62 and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XXXIX

Gels of 100 parts of Septon (SEPS) copolymers Kraton GRP6918 in combination with each of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES16, ES24, ES27, ES28, ES30, and ES44 and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XL

Gels of 100 parts of Septon (SEBS) copolymers S8006 and Kraton G1651, G1654 in combination with sufficient amounts of a Dow poly(ethylene/styrene) random copolymers ES16, ES24, ES27, ES28, ES30, and ES44 and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XLI

Gels of 100 parts of Septon (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4045, 4055, 4077 in combination each with 25 parts by weight of Super Sta-tac, Betaprene Nevtac, Escorez, Hercotac, Wingtack, Piccotac, polyterpene, Zonarez, Nirez, Piccolyte, Sylvatac, glycerol ester of rosin (Foral), pentaerythritol ester of rosin (Pentalyn), saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon (Arkon P), coumarone indene (Cumar LX), hydrocarbon (Picco 6000, Regalrez), mixed olefin (Wingtack), alkylated aromatic hydrocarbon (Nevchem), Polyalphamethylstyrene/vinyl toluene copolymer (Piccotex), polystyrene (Kristalex, Piccolastic), special resin (LX-1035) and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XLII

Gels of 100 parts of Septon (SEEPS) copolymers 4033, 4045, 4055, 4077 in combination each with 25 parts by weight of Super Sta-tac, Betaprene Nevtac, Escorez, Hercotac, Wingtack, Piccotac, polyterpene, Zonarez, Nirez, Piccolyte, Sylvatac, glycerol ester of rosin (Foral), pentaerythritol ester of rosin (Pentalyn), saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon (Arkon P), coumarone indene (Cumar LX), hydrocarbon (Picco 6000, Regalrez), mixed olefin (Wingtack), alkylated aromatic hydrocarbon (Nevchem), Polyalphamethylstyrene/vinyl toluene copolymer (Piccotex), polystyrene (Kristalex, Piccolastic), special resin (LX-1035) and 800, 600, 500, 450, 300, 250 parts by weight of Duraprime 55, 70, Klearol, Carnation, Blandol, Benol, Semtol 85, 70, and 40 (plasticizers having Vis. CSt@ 40° C. of less than 20) are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of Example X.

Example XLIII

Gels of 100 parts of (50 parts by weight of Septon (SEEPS) and 50 parts by weight of Kraton 1651) copolymers in combination with 600 parts by weight of (300 parts by weight of Witco 40 oil and 300 parts of Blandol), 0.05 parts by weight of Irganox 1010, and 0.1 parts by weight of Tinuvin P, are melt blended, tests, and tack probe samples molded, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of made from Septon 2006 SEPS. The resulting gel is found to have an elongation greater than 500% and is used to mold fishing baits in the form of a worm, a frog, a lizard, a fish for use on a Carolina Rig, a Texas Rig, and a Wacky Rig presentation and the fishing baits are found to exhibit a success hook to catch ratio greater than 5 as compared to a conventional plastisol polyvinyl chloride fishing bait of corresponding rigidity.

Example XLIV

Gels of 100 parts of (50 parts by weight of Septon (SEEPS) and 50 parts by weight of Kraton 1651) copolymers in combination with 600 parts by weight of (300 parts by weight of Witco 40 oil and 300 parts of Blandol), 0.05 parts by weight of Irganox 1010, and 0.1 parts by weight of Tinuvin P, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of made from Septon 2006 SEPS. The resulting gel is found to have an elongation greater than 800% and is used to mold fishing baits in the form of a worm, a frog, a lizard, a fish for use on a Carolina Rig, a Texas Rig, and a Wacky Rig presentation and the fishing baits are found to exhibit a success hook to catch ratio greater than 5 as compared to a conventional plastisol polyvinyl chloride fishing bait of corresponding rigidity.

Example XLV

Gels of 100 parts of (50 parts by weight of Septon (SEEPS) and 50 parts by weight of Kraton 1651) copolymers in combination with 600 parts by weight of (300 parts by weight of Witco 40 oil and 300 parts of Blandol), 0.05 parts by weight of Irganox 1010, and 0.1 parts by weight of Tinuvin P, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of made from Septon 2006 SEPS. The resulting gel is found to have an elongation greater than 900% and is used to mold fishing baits in the form of a worm, a frog, a lizard, a fish for use on a Carolina Rig, a Texas Rig, and a Wacky Rig presentation and the fishing baits are found to exhibit a success hook to catch ratio greater than 5 as compared to a conventional plastisol polyvinyl chloride fishing bait of corresponding rigidity.

Example XLVI

Gels of 100 parts of (50 parts by weight of Septon (SEEPS) and 50 parts by weight of Kraton 1651) copolymers in combination with 600 parts by weight of (300 parts by weight of Witco 40 oil and 300 parts of Blandol), 0.05 parts by weight of Irganox 1010, and 0.1 parts by weight of Tinuvin P, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of made from Septon 2006 SEPS. The resulting gel is found to have an elongation greater than 1,000% and is used to mold fishing baits in the form of a worm, a frog, a lizard, a fish for use on a Carolina Rig, a Texas Rig, and a Wacky Rig presentation and the fishing baits are found to exhibit a success hook to catch ratio greater than 5 as compared to a conventional plastisol polyvinyl chloride fishing bait of corresponding rigidity.

Example XLVII

Gels of 100 parts of (50 parts by weight of Septon (SEEPS) and 50 parts by weight of Kraton 1651) copolymers in combination with 600 parts by weight of about 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 12, 13, and about 14 cSt@ 40° C. viscosity oils, 0.05 parts by weight of Irganox 1010, and 0.1 parts by weight of Tinuvin P, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of made from Septon 2006 SEPS. The resulting gel is found to have increasing Gram Tack values with increasing oil viscosity, increase resistance to heat set at 50° C. as determined under 180° U bend for one hour, an elongation greater than 500% and is used to mold fishing baits in the form of a worm, a frog, a lizard, a fish for use on a Carolina Rig, a Texas Rig, and a Wacky Rig presentation and the fishing baits are found to exhibit a success hook to catch ratio greater than 5 as compared to a conventional plastisol polyvinyl chloride fishing bait of corresponding rigidity.

Example XLVII

Gels of 100 parts of (50 parts by weight of Septon (SEEPS) and 50 parts by weight of Kraton 1651) copolymers in combination with 600 parts by weight of about 18, 24, 28, 35, 39, 57, 61 and about 64 cSt@ 40° C. viscosity oils, 0.05 parts by weight of Irganox 1010, and 0.1 parts by weight of Tinuvin P, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom and the notched tear strength and resistance to fatigue of the gel at corresponding rigidities are found to be greater than that of amorphous gels of made from Septon 2006 SEPS. The resulting gel is found to have increasing Gram Tack values with increasing oil viscosity, increase resistance to heat set at 50° C. as determined under 180° U bend for one hour, an elongation greater than 500% and is used to mold fishing baits in the form of a worm, a frog, a lizard, a fish for use on a Carolina Rig, a Texas Rig, and a Wacky Rig presentation and the fishing baits are found to exhibit a success hook to catch ratio greater than 5 as compared to a conventional plastisol polyvinyl chloride fishing bait of corresponding rigidity.

Example XLIV

Gel of 100 parts of Kraton 1651 copolymer in combination with 600 parts by weight of (50 parts by weight of Arcro Prime 55 and 50 parts by weight of Arco prime 70), 0.05 parts by weight of Irganox 1010, and 0.1 parts by weight of Tinuvin P, the bulk gel rigidities are found to be within the range of 2 gram to 1,800 gram Bloom. The resulting gel is found to have heat set greater than 50° C. as determined under 180° U bend for one hour, an elongation greater than 500% and mold in the form of a fishing bait exhibit greater strength than a conventional plastisol polyvinyl chloride fishing bait of corresponding rigidity.

Example XLV

The following gels were made with 600 parts by weight of oil, 0.5 parts by weight of Irganox 1010, and 0.5 parts by weight of Tinuvin P, melt blended in a 16×150 mm glass test tube, cooled, removed, and 180° U bend tested 50° C. for 1.0 hour. When poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) (SEBS) is substituted in place of block copolymer of the invention, the (SEBS) strength is slightly lower, but lack the improved tear resistance and rupture resistance. For use as fishing bait, (SEBS) gels can also be made soft and are also an improvement over conventional plastisol polyvinyl chloride fishing baits of corresponding rigidity.

While certain features of this invention have been described in detail with respect to various embodiments thereof, it will, of course, be apparent that other modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of this invention, and it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact details shown above except insofar as they are defined in the following claims. 

1. A gel article comprising a soft gelatinous elastomer composition formed from (I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more block copolymer(s); and (II) about 250 to about 1,600 parts by weight of one or more selected plasticizer(s) being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom; said block copolymers selected from one or more (1) hydrogenated styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene block copolymer(s) and (2) hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene block copolymer(s); (III) said gel article having two or more internal directionally collapsible cavities in connecting communication through one or more openings to an external surface of said gel article.
 2. A gel article according to claim 1, wherein said gel article having an array of internal directionally collapsible cavities, said internal directionally collapsible cavities comprising substantially non-perpendicular internal surfaces.
 3. A gel article according to claim 1, wherein said gel article having an array of internal directionally collapsible cavities; said gel article selected from (1) a gel G, (2) a combination of two or more different gel G as denoted by Gn, and (3) at least one Gn being in adherent contact, adhesive contact, clinging contact, fastening contact, sticking contact, physical contact, or physically interlocking contact with a material M forming a composite; said combinations (2) and (3) as denoted by GnGn, GnGnGn, GnMn, GnMnGn, MnGnMn, MnGngn, GnGnMn, MnMnGn, MnMnMnGn, MnMnMnGnMn, MnGnGnMn, GnMnGnGn, GnMnMnGn, GnMnMnGn, GnGnMnMn, GnGnMnGnMn, GnMnGnGn, GnGnMn, GnMnGnMnMn, MnGnMnGnMnGn, GnGnMnMnGn, GnGnMnGnMnGn, and any permutations of one or more Gn and Mn, wherein when n is a subscript of M, n is the same or different selected from the group consisting of foam, plastic, fabric metal, concrete, wood, grass, ceramics, synthetic resin, synthetic fibers or refractory materials; wherein when n is a subscript of G, n denotes the same or a different gel rigidity of from less than about 20 gram to about 1,800 gram Bloom and higher.
 4. A gel article according to claim 1, wherein said gel article having an array of one or more nest(s) of internal directionally collapsible cavities in connecting communication through one or more openings to an external surface of said gel article, said nests of internal directionally collapsible cavities each having a first controllably and directionally collapsible cavity capable of collapsing unto a second controllably and directionally collapsible cavity below said first controllably and directionally collapsible cavity of said nest(s) of internal directionally collapsible cavities.
 5. A gel article according to claim 1, wherein said gel article is selected from a gel hand exercising grip, a gel crutch cushion, a gel pillow, a gel leg rest, a gel neck cushion, a gel mattress, a gel bed pad, a gel elbow pad, a gel seat pad, a gel wheelchair cushion, a gel helmet cushion, a gel exercise cushion, a gel cushion for splints, a gel sling, a gel brace for the hand, wrist, finger, forearm, knee, leg, clavicle, shoulder, foot, ankle, neck, back, rib, a gel liner for lower limb or above the knee amputee prosthesis, a gel shaped toy article; wherein, least one of said (III) block copolymers is a styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene.
 6. A gel article according to claim 1, wherein said gel article is in the formed of a gel liner for lower limb or above the knee amputee prosthesis, said gel without liner selected from (1) a gel G, (2) a combination of two or more different G as denoted by Gn, and (3) at least one Gn being in adherent contact, adhesive contact, clinging contact, fastening contact, sticking contact, physical contact, or physically interlocking contact with a material M forming a composite; said combinations (2) and (3) as denoted by GnGn, GnGnGn, GnMn, GnMnGn, MnGnMn, MnGnGn, GnGnMn, MnMnGn, MnMnMnGn, MnMnMnGnMn, MnGnGnMn, GnMnGnGn, GnMnMnGn, GnNMnMnGn, GnGnMnMn, GnGnMnGnMn, GnMnGnGn, GnGnMn, GnMnGnMnMn, MnGnMnGnMnGn, GnGnMnMnGn, GnGnMnGnMnGn, and any permutations of one or more Gn and Mn, wherein when n is a subscript of M, n is the same or different selected from the group consisting of foam, plastic, fabric, metal, concrete, wood, glass, ceramics, synthetic resin, synthetic fibers or refractory materials; wherein when n is a subscript of G, n denotes the same or a different gel rigidity of from less than about 20 gram to about 1,800 gram Bloom and higher.
 7. A gel article according to claim 1, wherein said gelatinous elastomer composition is formed in combination with about 1 to about 10 parts by weight of one or more polvmers and copolymers selected from trifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole and tetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, poly(dimethylphenylene oxide), poly(ethylene-butylene), poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(ethylene-styrene) interpolymer made by metallocene catalysts, using single site, constrained geometry addition polymerization catalysts, poly(styrene-butadiene), poly(styrene-butadiene)n, poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene)n, poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene-butylene)/(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene)n, poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene), poly(styrene-isoprene)n, poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene)n, polyamide, polybutylene, polybutylene, polycarbonate, polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyethylene, polyethyleneoxide, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl alcohol, wherein said selected copolymer is a linear, radial, star-shaped, branched or multiarm copolymer, wherein n is greater than one; said gel article selected from (1) a gel G, (2) a combination of two or more different G as denoted by Gn, and (3) at least one Gn being in adherent contact, adhesive contact, clinging contact fastening contact, sticking contact, physical contact, or physically interlocking contact with a material M forming a composite; said combinations (2) and (3) as denoted by GnGn, GnGnGn, GnMn, GnMnGn, MnGnMn, MnGnGn, GnGnMn, MnMnGn, MnMnMnGn, MnMnMnGnMn, MnGnGnMn, GnMnGnGn, GnMnMnGn, GnMnMnGn, GnGnMnMn, GnGnMnGnMn, GnMnGnGn, GnGnMn, GnMnGnMnMn, MnGnMnGnMnGn, GnGnMnMnGn, GnGnMnGnMnGn, and any permutations of one or more Gn and Mn, wherein when n is a subscript of M, n is the seine or different selected from the group consisting of foam, plastic, fabric, metal, concrete, wood, glass, ceramics, synthetic resin, synthetic fibers or refractory materials; wherein when n is a subscript of G, n denotes the same or a different gel rigidity of from less than about 20 gram to about 1,800 gram Bloom and higher. 